SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — While most of the San Francisco 49ers get the chance to rest during the bye week following a morale-boosting win over the Dallas Cowboys, this week could have a big impact on the second half of the season. Star running back Christian McCaffrey will ramp up his rehabilitation after being sidelined all season with Achilles tendinitis and could be back next week if all goes well.
“He’s had no setbacks, so it looks like we’re on track," coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday. "But we’re going to, he’s going to hit it hard this week while we’re gone and kind of simulate some practice stuff for himself. As long as it all goes good, hopefully we’ll get him back in practice next week.
” McCaffrey's return would provide an even bigger lift than Sunday night's 30-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys that sent the 49ers (4-4) into their week off at .500 with a chance to make another big second-half push. This marks the third straight season that San Francisco had a Week 9 bye and the 49ers are hoping for a repeat of a pattern from the past two seasons.
The Niners had a 9-7 record before the bye in those two seasons, compared with 16-2 in the second half to fuel deep playoff runs. San Francisco showed signs of getting back to that form on Sunday against the Cowboys, with the offense generating 223 yards rushing, the defense picking off Dak Prescott twice and special teams avoiding the catastrophic mistakes that plagued the team in several losses. “I t.
