Christian McCaffrey returns to practice for the 49ers due to an Achilles tendon injury

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – San Francisco 49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey returned to training for the first time in almost two months as he hopes to return from an Achilles tendon injury for the second half of the season.

The Niners opened the practice window for McCaffrey on Monday, giving the team three weeks to activate him from injured reserve. McCaffrey took part in a short training session as San Francisco back from a bye week and could play against Tampa Bay on Sunday if all goes well in practice this week.

McCaffrey has been struggling with Achilles tendonitis since the beginning of August. He missed almost all of training camp before returning to practice just before the season opener. He was scratched in the final minute before the game against the New York Jets on September 9 and then suffered a setback during practice on September 12.

He was placed in casualty reserve two days later and spent the last seven weeks resting and recuperating, including a trip to Germany for treatment.

The 49ers (4-4) are counting on McCaffrey’s return to provide a boost in the second half. San Francisco sputtered in the first half of the season, with the offense scoring 3.9 fewer points per game than last season.

Jordan Mason has done a good job filling in for McCaffrey with 685 yards rushing in eight games, but the Niners have sorely missed the reigning AP Offensive Player of the Year in the red zone and in the passing game.

McCaffrey led the NFL with 2,023 yards from scrimmage last season and was tied for the league lead with 21 touchdowns as he helped lead San Francisco to the Super Bowl.

After missing 23 games due to injuries in his last two full seasons at Carolina, McCaffrey has been healthy the past two seasons.

He missed just one game combined in the 2022-23 season – a meaningless game in Week 18 last season for San Francisco when he had a sore calf. His 798 combined touches from scrimmage in the regular season and playoffs were the third-most for any player in a two-year span in the past decade.

The Niners also opened the practice window for offensive lineman Jon Feliciano, who was out all season with a knee injury. Receiver Jauan Jennings was also back at practice Monday after missing the two games before the bye with a hip injury and kicker Jake Moody was back after missing three games with a high ankle sprain.

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