When will Christian McCaffrey return? Latest updates for 49ers RB

When healthy, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is one of the best offensive players in the league. “When he’s healthy,” is a caveat that has become a theme for the running back and his team this year.

In early August, about a week into training camp, the 49ers announced that McCaffrey was dealing with a calf and Achilles tendon injury. In the seven weeks since, McCaffrey's injury has kept him out of virtually all activity with the 49ers.

He missed every preseason game and was placed on injured reserve by San Francisco after the first week of the regular season. Trying to participate in limited practice before Week 2 proved too much for McCaffrey, and now he will miss at least two more games.

Here are the latest updates on McCaffrey's injuries ahead of the 49ers' Week 4 game against the New England Patriots.

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY:49ers place RB on injured reserve

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When did Christian McCaffrey's injury occur?

The 49ers initially reported that McCaffrey was dealing with a calf and Achilles tendon injury shortly before the start of training camp on August 6th. Even then, San Francisco acknowledged the possibility that the star running back could end up requiring a stint on injured reserve.