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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) has now missed nine weeks of NFL action, including a bye week. It's been a long season for those who drafted him, and many are likely already knocked out of playoff contention or hanging on by a thread in their fantasy leagues.
The 49ers have also uncharacteristically struggled in his absence. They're currently 4-4, having dropped games to the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and curiously, the Arizona Cardinals. Injuries to many of their best players have also hurt their chances.
So when will McCaffrey return to play? What's his outlook when he does?
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Christian McCaffrey Injury Update
It seems to finally be happening. The eighth-year star RB returned to practice for the first time yesterday after the 49ers officially opened his practice window. He hasn't been elevated to the active roster yet, and the team will do so at some point within the next 20 days.
#49ers Christian McCaffrey is officially back at practice ‼️pic.twitter.com/akhGofONgG
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) November 4, 2024
It seems likely that the team won't use the full three-week window before elevating him, though. NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports that CMC is on track to play in the team's Week 10 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's unclear why he won't be given as much time to ramp up his practice activity.
49ers have opened the practice window on RB Christian McCaffrey, who is tracking to play Sunday vs. Tampa Bay, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 4, 2024
However, his return will be a breath of fresh air or a lifeline for fantasy managers who invested an early pick in the stud back.
Christian McCaffrey Fantasy Football Outlook
He's a must-start when he plays, but considering the nature of his injury, it's fair to question if he'll have a huge workload when he returns. Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury that only recovers with rest and time, meaning that a massive amount of touches from the beginning could cause issues.
#NFL Injury Updates:#49ers Christian McCaffrey - Wk 10 target. Expect high efficiency + RB committee #Texans Stefon Diggs - No official word. High concern for ACL/meniscus#Texans Nico Collins - Data suggests 90% strength upon return. High (~15-20%) re-injury risk
1/9
— Deepak Chona, MD. SportsMedAnalytics (@SportMDAnalysis) October 29, 2024
This doesn't change his status as an elite RB option, but it could cap his ceiling, at least initially. In his absence, backup Jordan Mason (shoulder) and rookie Isaac Guerendo have played very well, but with Mason suffering a shoulder injury and Guerendo clearly outplaying him in the games they've played together, we could see a committee of sorts with the rookie.
Either way, No. 23 will have RB1 upside any time he steps on the field. It's unknown exactly how healthy he is, but you don't want to take your chances with him on the bench.
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