Christian McCaffrey injury update: Kyle Shanahan reveals latest on 49ers RBs return timeline

San Francisco 49ers (3-4) head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Monday he would be “surprised” if running back Christian McCaffrey plays in Sunday’s Week 8 home contest against the Dallas Cowboys (3-3).

The 49ers have a Week 9 bye and travel to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) in Week 10. Shanahan said it’s possible McCaffrey could be back against Tampa Bay.

“Christian is still progressing through his rehab,” Shanahan said. “He hasn’t had any setbacks, so it’s been all good news so far. I’d be surprised to get him back this week. But hopefully, the bye week will go well, and he’ll have a much better chance there right after the bye week.”

McCaffrey, 28, has been on injured reserve since the beginning of the season, sidelined with an Achilles injury which first popped up during training camp. He did not play in the preseason, however, the 49ers were initially optimistic he would be available for Week 1. Now, his 2024 debut appears to be coming in November at the earliest.

49ers expecting Christian McCaffrey back after bye week

The injury required McCaffrey to travel over to Germany last month to meet with a specialist to consider what was wrong with his Achilles. McCaffrey is coming off a season in which he won the AP Offensive Player of the Year Award after posting 1,459 rushing yards, 564 receiving yards and 21 total touchdowns.

San Francisco has remained effective running the ball without McCaffrey. They are averaging 149.9 yards on the ground and Jordan Mason is the league’s second-leading rusher.

The 49ers are dealing with a multitude of injuries on offense: Deebo Samuel (illness), Brandon Aiyuk, (torn ACL), George Kittle (sprained foot), Jauan Jennings (hip).