San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, who missed the entire season with bilateral Achilles tendonitis, could return after his team returns from his Week 9 bye.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on the current situation (the interview begins at 12:50 a.m.).

The 49ers are reportedly hoping to have McCaffrey return to practice around Week 7 or 8, with a goal of getting back on the field on Nov. 10 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McCaffrey, 28, is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro and was named the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 after amassing 2,023 total yards and 21 touchdowns for the NFC champion 49ers.

McCaffrey landed on injured reserve on September 14, one day before the 49ers’ 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The move to IR meant McCaffrey would miss at least his team’s next four games.

The eight-year veteran has surpassed that mark. At this point, when the 49ers open McCaffrey’s practice window, he will have 21 days to return. That gives the 49ers three weeks to either (a) add him to the roster or (b) place him on season-ending IR.

Apparently, Rapoport’s report gives hope that the 49ers are preparing to send McCaffrey back to the practice field. He noted that CMC has been running on turf in recent weeks, a “step in the right direction.”

Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated had more to add to the situation in a segment before the 49ers’ road game against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday. Basically, McCaffrey “just started feeling like himself last week,” which led to the 49ers adding him “in the last few days.”