At long last, Christian McCaffrey is poised to make his season debut for the San Francisco 49ers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after dealing with Achilles tendinitis since training camp.
The star running back will give the Niners a major shot of adrenaline, not to mention confidence, as he is one of the NFL’s biggest offensive stars and a man who can seemingly do it all.
In order to place him back on their active roster, the Niners waived running back Patrick Taylor Jr., according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.
Taylor, who was undrafted out of the University of Memphis, is in his fourth NFL season, and he got seven carries for 25 yards in eight games this season, also contributing on special teams, after spending three years with the Green Bay Packers.
McCaffrey led the NFL in rushing yards, total yards from scrimmage and total touchdowns last season, which earned him All-Pro First Team honors, as well as the Offensive Player of the Year award.
The Niners have missed his ability to make opponents pay for pressuring quarterback Brock Purdy, as well as his talents as a receiver.
They will also welcome back wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who missed two games with a hip injury.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who tore his Achilles in last season’s Super Bowl, may be nearing a return as well.
San Francisco could be gearing up for a major surge during the second half of the season that could precede yet another deep playoff run.