SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers All-Pro Running back Christian McCaffrey He returned to training for the first time in nearly two months as he hopes to return from his Achilles tendon injury in the second half of the season.

The Niners opened the practice window for McCaffrey on Monday, giving the team three weeks to activate him from injured reserve. McCaffrey attended a short training session in San Francisco We returned from a farewell week If everything goes well in practice this week, we could play against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

McCaffrey has been dealing with Achilles tendinitis since the beginning of August. He missed nearly all of training camp before returning to practice just before the season opener. He suffered the injury in the last minute before a game against the New York Jets on September 9th and then suffered a setback at practice on September 12th.

He was placed on injured reserve two days later and spent the last seven weeks resting and rehabilitating. Germany trip for treatment.

The 49ers (4-4) are counting on the return of McCaffrey for a second-half boost. San Francisco stagnated offensively in the first half of the season, scoring 3.9 fewer points per game than last season.

Jordan Mason did a good job replacing McCaffrey, rushing for 685 yards in eight games, but the Niners sorely missed out on the AP Offensive Player of the Year award. in the red zone and in the passing game.

McCaffrey had 2,023 yards from scrimmage in the NFL last season and tied for the league lead with 21 touchdowns while helping lead San Francisco to the Super Bowl.

McCaffrey, who missed 23 games due to injuries in his last two seasons in Carolina, was healthy the last two seasons.

He missed just one game overall in 2022-23; It was a meaningless Week 18 game for San Francisco last season due to a calf strain. His 798 total hits during the regular season and playoffs were the third most for any player in a two-year period in the last 10 years.

The Niners also opened the practice window for offensive lineman Jon Feliciano, who has been sidelined all season with a knee injury. Receiver Jauan Jennings also returned to practice Monday after missing two games before the bye with a hip injury, and kicker Jake Moody also returned after missing three games with a high ankle sprain.

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