It appears that one of the most talented running backs in the NFL will get his first crack at live action before long, as Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers appears set to make his anticipated 2024 debut after the team’s bye week concludes.
The Niners' next game comes in Tampa on Nov. 10, when San Francisco squares off against the Buccaneers after a much-needed bye week this Sunday, with the team squared away at 4-4 for the season and in need of the instant impact that McCaffrey provides out of the backfield.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that his star back could take part in team practice this week for the first time since suffering Achilles tendinitis in early August, potentially paving the way for him to play next weekend against the Buccaneers.
“It depends on how this week goes,” Shanahan said, per The San Francisco Chronicle. “He’s had no setbacks, so it looks like we’re on track. But he’s going to hit it hard this week while we’re gone and kind of simulate some practice stuff for himself. And as long as it all goes well, hopefully, we’ll get him back in practice next week.”
Through 91 games dating back to his debut in 2017, McCaffrey has provided an approximate value of 81, with 6,185 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns to go with 4,320 yards and 29 touchdowns through the air.
With all that in mind, BetCalifornia.com broke down the odds on when the Niners two-time All-Pro running back will make his 2024 debut, with the team’s road clash with Tampa Bay on Nov. 10 looking like a solid bet right now. Though there is no California sports betting, stick with this site for all news around legislation and the 49ers.
Game | Odds | Percent Chance |
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Nov. 10th) | -350 | 77.8% |
vs Seattle Seahawks (Nov. 17th) | +450 | 18.2% |
at Green Bay Packers (Nov. 24th) | +5000 | 2.0% |
at Buffalo Bills (Dec. 1st) | +7000 | 1.4% |
The Field | +15000 | 0.6% |
Our hypothetical money is on McCaffrey to be in uniform and on the field for the first time this season when the Niners play the Bucs in Florida come Nov. 10, with -350 odds of such an outcome occurring.
Should the three-time Pro Bowler not be healthy enough to give it a go against the Bucs, the next best odds for his 2024 debut come the following weekend when San Francisco hosts NFC West rival the Seattle Seahawks, with +450 odds of McCaffrey making his debut at Levi’s Stadium.
Other potential debuts include road games against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 24 (+5000) and Buffalo Bills on Dec. 1 (+7000), though we foresee McCaffrey making his way onto the gridirons of the NFL long before then.
For now, the task for Shanahan and his staff is to get the Niners back on track after a rough 4-4 start to the season, with McCaffrey’s return undoubtedly assisting in that endeavor in the near-term.
USA Today photo by Darren Yamashita.
Author
Christopher Boan is the lead writer at BetCalifornia.com, specializing in sports betting issues in the western United States. He's covered sports and sports betting in Arizona for more than seven years, including stops at ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly and the Green Valley News.
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