49ers HC: Christian McCaffrey Unlikely to Play vs. Cowboys amid Injury; Week 10 Eyed
Doric SamOctober 21, 2024
Brooke Sutton/Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers fans will likely have to wait a few more weeks to see star running back Christian McCaffrey return to the field.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that McCaffrey is unlikely to make his season debut in Sunday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys and has a “better chance” to return in Week 10 following the team’s bye.
Ian Rapoport @RapSheetCoach Mike Shanahan confirms that Christian McCaffrey is unlikely to play this Sunday vs. the #Cowboys and says there is a “better chance” after next week’s bye. That’s Nov. 10 https://t.co/SRQkAAmyWQ
Shanahan added that he would be “surprised” if McCaffrey was able to suit up against the Cowboys. However, he also said that the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year “hasn’t had any setbacks,” making it feasible for him to return on Nov. 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
McCaffrey has been sidelined for the entirety of the 2024 season so far due to Achilles tendinitis. He visited a specialist in Germany last month and appears to be on the right track toward an eventual recovery.
Without McCaffrey, the 49ers have turned to third-year running back Jordan Mason, who has answered the call and emerged as a star, ranking second in the NFL with 667 rushing yards while also posting three touchdowns as well as a receiving score.
San Francisco has not been able to escape the injury bug this season. Star receiver Brandon Aiyuk was ruled out for the remainder of the year on Monday due to a torn ACL and MCL suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch. Shanahan also said Monday that star receiver Deebo Samuel is in the hospital due to fluid in his lungs.
The reigning NFC champions will be trying to overcome a 3-4 start as they chase a second straight trip to the Super Bowl, but they will be without their star running back for a bit longer.
