It's still a mystery as to when San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) will make his 2024 debut after dealing with Achilles tendinitis, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler says that McCaffrey should start ramping up his activities after the team's Week 9 bye. The two-time Pro Bowler and last year's leading rusher has been on Injured Reserve since Week 2 and has yet to play for the 49ers this season. Barring a setback as he ramps up his activities, the 49ers are hoping that they'll get CMC back in November. For now, fantasy managers must keep him stashed in an IR spot and hope he returns sooner than later for the second half of the season. Jordan Mason (shoulder) has been a must-start RB1 in fantasy in CMC's place. He suffered an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder in Week 6 but has been cleared to play in Week 7 on Sunday in a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.

From RotoBaller

The San Francisco 49ers won't open the practice window for running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) this week, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. McCaffrey is ramping up his football activities as he deals with bi-lateral Achilles tendinitis in both of his legs, but he won't return to practice next week or be available to play in Week 7 for a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs. CMC remains on Injured Reserve, and the 49ers are most likely targeting a potential return for last year's Offensive Player of the Year in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after their Week 9 bye. Fantasy managers must remain patient and hope the 28-year-old can return to form quickly upon his return later this season. With Jordan Mason (shoulder) suffering an AC joint sprain in Thursday night's win over the Seahawks, rookie Isaac Guerendo could be called upon to start in Week 7 versus KC.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) will not be designated for return from the Reserve/Injured list this week, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Fantasy Spin: Considering McCaffrey has not practiced since early August, it makes it highly unlikely he will be able to play in Week 7 - as expected. The good news is that CMC has reportedly started to push his rehab in recent days and not encountered a setback like the one he had last month. Week 10 has been floated as a possible return to action, although an earlier date remains a strong possibility.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) is hoping to return at some point in November.

Fantasy Spin: McCaffrey is currently on the Reserve/Injured list, but fantasy players should continue to monitor the situation to see when McCaffrey returns to practice. He is a must-start option when healthy, but players will have to wait a while longer for his return.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) is targeting an early November return from Injured Reserve. McCaffrey was technically eligible to come off IR to play on Thursday night in Week 6 against the Seattle Seahawks, but that was never going to happen. The fact that CMC has yet to practice means he still has a ways to go before he can even think about making his 2024 debut. Fantasy managers obviously can do nothing but hope McCaffrey returns sooner than later and keep him stashed in an IR spot. In the meantime, Jordan Mason, who has been one of the league's leading rushers through five weeks, will continue to serve as San Fran's lead back. Mason is the RB5 in half-PPR scoring heading into Thursday night's game against Seattle and should be deployed in all fantasy starting lineups against a beat-up defense.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) will remain on Injured Reserve and will not be available to make his 2024 debut this Thursday night against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on the road in Week 6. McCaffrey is dealing with Achilles tendinitis in both of his legs and has yet to play so far in 2024. However, he did do some on-field work last week and didn't have any setbacks to his legs. The 49ers will continue to take things slow with last year's leading rusher, but it's been reported that CMC could be ready to make his season debut at the earliest in Week 7 for a rematch of last year's Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. But there's also a possibility that San Fran decides to hold McCaffrey out through their Week 9 bye. He needs to remain stashed in all fantasy formats, while Jordan Mason maintains RB1 status for however long McCaffrey is sidelined.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) will not play in the Week 6 game against the Seattle Seahawks, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Monday, Oct. 7.

Fantasy Spin: This is no surprise as McCaffrey is still ramping up his workload dealing with Achilles tendonitis. It's still unclear when McCaffrey will be ready, but Jordan Mason remains an RB1 in fantasy until he does return.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) will not be activated from the Reserve/Injured list prior to Week 6's game against the Seattle Seahawks, when he is eligible to return, according to multiple league sources. However, there is mild optimism because his calf and Achilles issues did not flare up after he resumed on-field work this week.

Fantasy Spin: It remains uncertain when McCaffrey will be activated from injured reserve or when he can begin practicing again. Fantasy owners should keep tabs on this situation to see when he'll be ready to return. RB Jordan Mason will continue to be the starting back for the 49ers and is a weekly starting option in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf, Achilles) will not be activated when eligible to return for the team's Week 6 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football, per Adam Schefter. McCaffrey, who has been on injured reserve since Week 2 with nagging calf and bilateral Achilles tendinitis, was a candidate to return to the team this week, but it's looking like that won't come to fruition. However, there is optimism surrounding the 28-year-old after his calf and Achilles issues did not flare up upon his return to on-field work this past week. It's a notable development, considering this is the superstar back's first work on the field since being placed on IR. Per Schefter, if McCaffrey can continue ramping up his participation with no setbacks, he would have a chance at suiting up for San Francisco's Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 20. He could also return to action the following week when the team takes on the Dallas Cowboys. Additionally, the 49ers could continue to play it safe with their All-Pro running back with their bye week following the matchup against Dallas. We're at least a few weeks away from clarity on this situation. Still, fantasy managers have to be encouraged regarding the consensus first-overall pick's status with the recent news.

From RotoBaller

Updating previous reports, San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) is dealing with tendinitis in both of his Achilles tendons, according to general manager John Lynch.

Fantasy Spin: McCaffrey is currently on the Reserve/Injured list and does not have a timetable for his return. Fantasy players will need to continue to monitor the situation to see when he will play again. Jordan Mason will continue to be the starting back for the 49ers and is a weekly starting option in leagues.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) has been dealing with bi-lateral Achilles tendinitis, meaning he has the tendinitis in both of his legs. McCaffrey recently traveled to Germany to meet with specialists and get treatment done on his legs. The 28-year-old could attempt to run this week to test out his injuries, but the fact is that he remains on Injured Reserve and doesn't have a clear timetable to return. If everything goes as planned and CMC doesn't have any further setbacks, he should be ready to return at some point in early November. It's been tough for fantasy managers that took McCaffrey with the first overall pick in drafts, but all they can do is remain patient and keep him stashed with hopes he return in the second half. Until then, Jordan Mason, who went over 100 yards rushing for the third time in four games in Week 4, will be a must-start RB1 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) is slated to resume running on hard ground during the coming week, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He is targeting a return to action by early November.

Fantasy Spin: Fantasy owners should continue to stash McCaffrey in their IR slot, since he is one of the league's top players when healthy. Jordan Mason has performed well in his absence and should continue to be viewed as an RB1 option in fantasy leagues for the time being.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) recently returned from seeing a specialist in Germany. It sounds like the plan is for McCaffrey to continue working on the ground, but he won't be back on the field anytime soon. The earliest McCaffrey can resume practicing with the team will be Week 6. Right now the plan is for McCaffrey to possibly return by early November. That isn't great news for fantasy managers, but at least the superstar back will only miss a handful of more games. In the meantime, Jordan Mason figures to continue being the lead back. Mason should be considered a RB1 in fantasy formats until McCaffrey returns.

From RotoBaller

A report earlier on Thursday suggested that San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) could miss two more months after visiting with a specialist in Germany this week. However, head coach Kyle Shanahan said later in the day that "we'll probably turn it up here in the next couple of weeks... we'll start testing it out here sooner rather than later." The earliest that McCaffrey can resume practicing with the team will be before the Week 6 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks since he was placed on Injured Reserve before Week 2. Whenever the Niners designate CMC to return from IR, he'll then have three weeks to return to action. An exact timeline for the 28-year-old's return is unclear, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect it to happen in Week 6. In the meantime, Jordan Mason will continue operating as the lead back and will have RB1 upside in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

After seeing a specialist in Germany, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) will likely be sidelined for at least a month and "probably closer to a couple of months." It's obvious terrible news for the 49ers and any fantasy managers that took CMC with the first overall pick in fantasy drafts this year. The 28-year-old is currently on Injured Reserve but isn't going to be ready to return for the Niners when he's eligible in Week 5 against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. When the reigning NFL rushing champion finally does return from his injury, he could also be eased back in so that he doesn't suffer any setbacks. All fantasy managers can do is be patient at this point and hope McCaffrey can regain his pre-injury form when he returns. In the meantime, Jordan Mason is going to continue to be a must-start RB1 in fantasy as San Fran's lead back.

From RotoBaller

Updating previous reports, San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) isn't expected to be out all season, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Fantasy Spin: It was a bit of a coy "not that I know of" response, which Mike Florio notes that he's not buying. There was a report last week that midseason could be the target date, which puts Week 6, when he's eligible to return, in doubt. Jordan Mason remains an RB1 in CMC's absence. He's the RB9 in non-PPR formats and RB14 in PPR.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) traveled to Germany over the weekend to visit with a specialist, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. McCaffrey is expected to spend a few days in Europe this week to get help for his injured Achilles. CMC injured his Achilles/calf in training camp back in August and was placed on Injured Reserve, meaning he cannot return until at least Week 6 against the Seattle Seahawks. However, there's a good chance the 28-year-old All-Pro will be out beyond that, depending on how quickly he recovers over the next several weeks. Fantasy managers obviously need to continue stashing last year's rushing champion in an IR spot while hoping for a speedy recovery. With the Niners' offense banged up, RB Jordan Mason will continue to be heavily involved and will be a weekly RB1 for fantasy managers until McCaffrey comes off IR.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) is scheduled to meet with a specialist in Germany to have his Achilles injury examined.

Fantasy Spin: McCaffrey is currently on the Reserve/Injured list because of the injuries and does not have a timetable for his return. Fantasy players should keep an eye on the situation to see if he receives a timetable after the visit. Jordan Mason will continue to be the starter while McCaffrey is sidelined and should be a weekly starting fantasy option.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) may need at least six weeks to recover from Achilles tendinitis, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He is reportedly not in danger of tearing his Achilles but the injury is hard to get rid of and makes it difficult to run.

Fantasy Spin: McCaffrey was officially placed on injured reserve Saturday, Sept. 14, and would not have returned to action before Week 6's game even in a best-case scenario. RB Jordan Mason will continue to be used as San Francisco's main rushing threat and should be a starting option in all fantasy leagues. RBs Isaac Guerendo and FB Kyle Juszczyk could also see an increased workload in McCaffrey's absence.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf, Achilles) was placed on the injured reserve on Saturday. This news comes after McCaffrey was sidelined for the season opener due to Achilles tendinitis and a calf strain. He'll miss at least the next four games after being placed on the injured reserve, but he could be out longer than that. Ian Rapoport believes it could take up to six weeks for McCaffrey to heal from his Achilles tendinitis. Possibly, McCaffrey is able to play through the issue after his stint on the injured reserve, but fantasy managers should prepare for him to miss up to six weeks. In his absence, Jordan Mason figures to be the lead back and should be rostered in just about every fantasy format after his showing in Week 1.

From RotoBaller