SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Spending the first half of the season as a spectator as he returns from Achilles tendonitis hurt San Francisco 49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey.

McCaffrey described being in a “dark” place during his eight weeks on the sidelines, dealing with both physical pain and the frustration of not being able to play. That is now a thing of the past, as McCaffrey will make his season debut in San Francisco on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“Sometimes you assume you play the game for a living and that’s what you do, that’s what you train for,” McCaffrey said Friday. “But when that’s taken away from you, even for a short time, it really makes you appreciate every day you’re on the grass.”

McCaffrey I returned to training on Monday He completed the four-day practice without any hitches, paving the way for him to play. He is listed as questionable because he is still injured but will be activated on Saturday.

“We’ll take him off IR tomorrow and then he’s good to go,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “So unless something crazy happens on this plane ride, he should be good to go as soon as he gets off IR.”

Injury news is not positive for San Francisco; Star linebacker Nick Bosa is listed as questionable after injuring his hip in practice Wednesday. Shanahan said he was concerned Bosa wouldn’t be able to play Sunday.

“He couldn’t do much in practice. He was extremely limited,” Shanahan said. “I hope it will be fine, but we’ll see on Sunday.”

San Francisco will also be without cornerback Charvarius Ward, who was away from the team all week following his death last week. 1-year-old daughter Amani Joy. A memorial service was held in Dallas on Friday, and general manager John Lynch led a group of team officials there to support Ward.

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 9 and then suffered a setback during practice on September 12.

He was placed on injured reserve two days later and spent the last seven weeks resting and rehabilitating. Germany trip for treatment that McCaffrey did not want to talk about Friday.

“I keep all this secret,” he said. “When you’re on IR and you’re hurt, you’ll do anything to get back. I feel good right now. That’s all that matters.”

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 fine 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. The 26 points scored by San Francisco running backs are fourth-lowest in the league after McCaffrey was a starter the past two seasons when he was available.

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 span in the last 10 years.

But he has no concerns about injury going forward.

“I feel good right now,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here if it was still bothering me. I feel great.”