San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey walks on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)AP

Christian McCaffrey is nearing a return to action.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided a possible return date for the star running back, who hasn’t played at all this season because of Achilles tendinitis in both legs.

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Shanahan said McCaffrey isn’t likely to play in the Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, but he could return after the 49ers’ bye week. The 49ers’ bye week is Week 9 and they return to action in a Week 10 game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“Christian’s still progressing through his rehab,” Shanahan told reporters on Monday. “He hasn’t had any setbacks, so it’s been all good news so far. I’d be surprised to get him back this week. But hopefully the bye week will go well and have a much better chance there right after the bye week.”

McCaffrey led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards in 2023 and he won the league’s Offensive Player of the Year. He signed a two-year, $38 million contract extension June, making him the highest-paid running back in the NFL. The injury-plagued 49ers (3-4) desperately need McCaffrey back in the lineup. They are coming off a 28-18 loss to Kansas City on Sunday, their second loss in the past three games.

Backup Jordan Mason has played very well in McCaffrey’s absence, rushing for a league-leading 667 yards and three touchdowns in seven games. However, Mason won’t be mistaken for the versatile McCaffrey.