San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has returned to practice, marking a significant step in his recovery from Achilles tendinitis. The team has opened his 21-day practice window, allowing him time to be activated from injured reserve. There is optimism that he could play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if his practice goes well this week. Coach Kyle Shanahan emphasized the importance of evaluating McCaffrey's performance in practice before making any decisions about his return to game action.

• McCaffrey's return to practice is a positive sign for the 49ers.
• The team is optimistic about his availability for the upcoming game against the Buccaneers.
• McCaffrey's workload will be evaluated based on his performance in practice.