49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey is set to make his season debut after missing the first nine weeks of the year.
McCaffrey has been dealing with achilles tendonitis in both of his legs, which began in training camp over the summer. Originally, it was thought to just have been a calf strain, but he was a ‘surprise’ inactive for their week one game and it spiraled from there.
He then traveled overseas in September to seek treatment in Germany in hopes of recovering from his injuries faster. After coming back, he continued to heal and returned to practice early this week.
While McCaffrey was gone, the 49ers turned to Jordan Mason. Mason held his own in the backfield, and currently sits fourth in the NFL in rushing yards. In his eight games played, he rushed the ball 134 times for 685 yards (5.1 yards per carry), but only three touchdowns. His receiving upside was also not near McCaffrey’s, as he only caught 10 balls for 86 yards. He has been struggling with a shoulder injury recently, leading to a decline in his production.
While Mason has been struggling with his injury, rookie back Isaac Guerendo was the lead back, and, like Mason, he took the most of his opportunities. Against the Seahawks, Guerendo rushed 10 times for 99 yards (9.9 YPC). Two weeks ago, against the Cowboys, he put up 85 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Guerendo also caught three passes for 17 yards that game.
Despite the 49ers keeping up a very good and mostly consistent run game, they will be very happy to have one of the most electrifying players in football back. They have had a rough go to start the year, and currently sit at 4-4 on the year. They have been super unlucky with numerous injuries, like losing Brandon Aiyuk for the year and Deebo Samuel struggling with sickness, but they are not in an awful position. Getting McCaffrey back will help spark the offense and they can still rely on both backs that helped their run game the first half the season.
Now is the time the 49ers have to turn it up, as they have a very tough schedule coming up. They are the freshest they will be for the rest of the season as they are coming out of their bye week, and need to get back to their winning ways we have seen the last few seasons. They travel to Tampa Bay on Sunday to take on an ailing Buccaneers team.
