Report: 49ers will not activate Christian McCaffrey for Thursday Night Football

Christian McCaffrey is eligible to return from injured reserve, but the running back isn’t ready to return yet.

The 49ers will not activate McCaffrey for Thursday Night Football, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

McCaffrey has not played this season and was placed on injured reserve in Week 2 due to calf strains and bilateral Achilles tendonitis. The question is: When will McCaffrey return?

The 49ers have stepped up McCaffrey’s rehab work this week, and Schefter reports that the team is “mildly encouraged” that McCaffrey’s calf and Achilles tendon problems have not flared up this week. According to Schefter, McCaffrey could return as early as the game against the Chiefs on October 20 or the game against the Cowboys a week later.

However, it appears that McCaffrey’s season debut could come after the bye week on November 10th against the Bucs.

The reigning Offensive Player of the Year recently traveled to Germany for treatment and appears to be making progress in his rehab as he makes his way back.