Photo: Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey made his return to practice on Monday (November 4) for the first time since being ruled out for the team's Monday Night Football 2024 season debut in September.
ESPN's Nick Wagoner shared a video of McCaffrey in pads participating in drills during the team's practice.
"#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is back at practice," Wagoner wrote on his X account.
McCaffrey, 28, was officially ruled out of the 49ers' Week 1 Monday Night Football game against the New York Jets shortly before kickoff and has missed every game since. The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year was initially expected to play despite a calf injury that kept him out for most of training camp, however, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Good Morning Football Wednesday that McCaffrey was also dealing with Achilles tendonitis, which was the bigger concern heading into Week 2.
Running back Jordan Mason has recorded 685 yards and three touchdowns on 134 carries in McCaffrey's absence but is dealing with a left shoulder sprain of his own, which has limited his output in recent weeks. Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo recorded a team-best 85 yards on 14 carries in Mason's absence during the Niners' 30-24 win in Week 8 before their bye week.
McCaffrey signed to a two-year extension in June, making him the highest-paid player at his position and keeping him on the Niners' roster through the 2027 NFL season.
The veteran running back was acquired by the 49ers in a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers midway through the 2022 NFL season and has since recorded 2,711 rushing yards, 1,241 receiving yards and 39 total touchdowns in 22 games. McCaffrey recorded an NFL-best 1,459 rushing yards on 272 carries, 67 receptions for 564 yards and 21 total touchdowns (14 rushing, seven receiving) during the 2023 season, which resulted in a Super Bowl LVIII overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in February.