{"id":6286,"date":"2024-11-05T08:14:22","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T08:14:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotnews.azontree.com\/?p=6286"},"modified":"2024-11-05T08:14:22","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T08:14:22","slug":"trent-williams-christian-mccaffreys-return-a-lift-for-49ers-dre-greenlaw-progressing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotnews.azontree.com\/?p=6286","title":{"rendered":"Trent Williams: Christian McCaffrey\u2019s return a lift for 49ers; Dre Greenlaw progressing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If all goes well this week, the San Francisco 49ers could see\u00a0Christian McCaffrey\u00a0back in action as early as Sunday\u2019s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team opened the running back\u2019s practice window on Monday, setting the stage for his 2024 season debut.<\/p>\n

McCaffrey, who has yet to play this season due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis, rejoined his teammates for Monday\u2019s short bonus practice session, sparking excitement in the locker room.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuch an amazing feeling to see that 23 out there doing his extensive warmup,\u201d tackle\u00a0Trent Williams\u00a0told reporters after practice. \u201cA million high knees he does before practice, it was great seeing him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 49ers offense has struggled with inconsistency this season and hopes to build momentum in the final stretch and playoff push. McCaffrey\u2019s return would provide a significant boost, especially after the recent season-ending knee injury to wide receiver\u00a0Brandon Aiyuk.<\/p>\n

Williams didn\u2019t hesitate to respond when asked about McCaffrey\u2019s potential impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cOffensive Player of the Year,\u201d Williams commented, referring to the award McCaffrey earned last season. \u201cReally, you could probably put him in any offense, it\u2019s going to make it better. Obviously, our offense is kind of tailor-made to him and some of his strengths, so it\u2019s definitely going to be a tremendous lift for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams acknowledged the challenges posed by injuries this season, with key players like McCaffrey sidelined. However, he pointed out that injuries are affecting teams across the NFL, not just the 49ers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not one of the things you harp on and just sit and wish how much you had one person,\u201d Williams remarked. \u201cWe would have never heard about\u00a0[rookie RB Isaac] Guerendo\u00a0or seen the excellence of\u00a0[RB Jordan] Mason\u00a0if Christian was probably healthy, so it\u2019s a silver lining, some of that stuff.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now, we know that we have. Even without having [RB]\u00a0Elijah [Mitchell], we still have a super deep backfield, and [we\u2019re] improving.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dre Greenlaw sighting<\/h2>\n

Williams also noted that McCaffrey isn\u2019t the only one making strides in his recovery. Star linebacker\u00a0Dre Greenlaw, who suffered a torn Achilles in February during the Super Bowl, is progressing.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven had a glimpse of Greenlaw out there sprinting around with a helmet on,\u201d Williams shared. \u201cSo, both of them, just seeing that, got our juices going.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 49ers expect Greenlaw to return sometime in the second half of the season. Although the team has not provided specific details on his return due to the fluid nature of his recovery, his appearance at practice on Monday was encouraging and clearly delighted Williams.