San Francisco treaded water without Christian McCaffrey. Now that the NFL’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year is back, it’s full-speed ahead for the 49ers.
With McCaffrey debuting last week after missing the first eight games due to Achilles tendinitis, the 49ers (5-4) won 23-20 at Tampa Bay, posting consecutive victories for the first time this season.
They’ll look to continue streaking when they play host to the struggling Seattle Seahawks (4-5) on Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.
“I’m just happy I’m here,” McCaffery said. “That was a long journey and a lot of long days, so it feels good to win and it feels good to just play in a football game again.”
McCaffrey’s contributions were somewhat limited by his unparalleled standards. He rushed for 39 yards on 13 carries and caught six passes for 68 yards.
Brock Purdy, who threw for 353 yards and two touchdowns, was happiest to have McCaffrey back in the backfield.
“I think he was awesome,” Purdy said. “We had multiple plays with him out of the backfield that were some big plays throwing the ball.”
McCaffrey said he tried to stay “even-keeled” in his season debut.
“Obviously there’s a lot of emotion when you play an NFL football game. So, I just try to let those come naturally,” McCaffrey said. “When you miss time due to something like that, nobody wants to be on the field more than me. Just to be out there again, to be honest with you, you really realize how much of a privilege it is to play football.”
McCaffrey was listed as limited on the injury report Wednesday and Thursday, then was a full participant on Friday.
Defensive lineman Nick Bosa (hip) and tight end George Kittle (hamstring) are listed as questionable on the injury report, but the 49ers won’t have punter Mitch Wishnowsky available. He aggravated a back injury against the Buccaneers. The team signed veteran punter Pat O’Donnell earlier this week with Wishnowsky’s status uncertain for much of the week.
Kittle had five catches for 68 yards and two touchdowns as the 49ers won 36-24 at Seattle in Week 6.
Last time Seattle saw the 49ers, it was two less-familiar runners ripping apart the Seattle defense.
The Seahawks are coming off a bye and have lost five of six games since a 3-0 start. In the 12-point defeat by San Francisco on Oct. 10, the Seahawks allowed a season-worst 228 rushing yards and 6.9 yards per carry to a 49ers’ attack powered by Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo.
McCaffrey rushed for 259 yards and two touchdowns and caught six passes for 33 yards in two games against the Seahawks in 2023.
Seattle’s defense ranks 23rd in the NFL in yards allowed (357.6 per game) and 27th against the run (139.4).
“We’ve got guys that fought, but we have to go to work and make this right because right now we’re doing too many things that, it’s not winning football, it’s not complementary,” said first-year Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, who coordinated Baltimore’s league-leading defense last season. “And just the same mentality we’ve had every week, we’ve got to keep that going, and we’re going to find the solution at some point.”
The Seahawks made one surprise move this week and then were hit with a second one.
Seattle released starting linebacker Tyrel Dodson, who led the team in tackles and was second in tackles for loss. The Miami Dolphins quickly signed him for the remainder of the season.
The Seahawks’ offense also took a hit with the abrupt retirement of starting center Connor Williams.
Williams retired due to personal reasons, according to coach Mike Macdonald, who added that he doesn’t expect the 27-year-old to change his mind.
“I don’t believe so,” Macdonald said. “We’re honoring his wishes, and we’ll keep all those reasons and conversations private for obvious reasons and wish him the best.”
However, the offense could be getting back right tackle Abe Lucas (knee). Lucas was a full participant in practice on Friday and could make his season debut.
Seattle wide receiver DK Metcalf was a full participant in practice all week, pointing to his probable return after he missed the past two games with a knee injury. However, tight ends Noah Fant (groin) and Brady Russell (foot) were ruled out.
