SANTA CLARA, Calif. – After watching Christian McCaffrey take part in the toughest practice of the week for the San Francisco 49ers, coach Kyle Shanahan said he’s seen enough to believe the running back will make his season debut Sunday.

Speaking to KNBR radio in San Francisco on Thursday, Shanahan said McCaffrey has done well enough in practice this week to return against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“He’s been great the last two days,” Shanahan said. “You never know about a setback or anything like that, but these two days have been great and I expect to see him out there.”

McCaffrey has been on injury reserve since September 14 due to bilateral Achilles tendonitis following a calf injury that started bothering him in early August. McCaffrey traveled to Germany to meet with a specialist while the 49ers were in Los Angeles to play the Rams on September 22.

Before last week’s bye, Shanahan said McCaffrey would remain at the team facility and conduct simulated practice activities leading to his return to training. There were no setbacks and that led to the practice window opening on Monday.

McCaffrey took part in the team’s “bonus training” that day and has since participated on a limited basis in the Wednesday and Thursday sessions. But Thursday training was always considered the most important; it’s the only padded session of the week and the longest.

The only thing standing between McCaffrey and his season debut Sunday is a lighter Friday workout that’s a little more than a walk-through and then a cross-country flight to Tampa, Florida, on Friday evening. Barring any issues there, the Niners would activate McCaffrey from injured reserve Saturday.

In order to make room for him on the roster, they will have to make a corresponding move to open up a spot.

For much of the past few weeks, Shanahan and the Niners this week have hinted at McCaffrey’s possible return as he continues the rehab that kept him out of the team’s first eight games.

McCaffrey’s return to practice has given a remarkable boost to the 4-4 Niners, according to coaches and teammates.

“It was awesome,” quarterback Brock Purdy said. “Exactly what he brings and really just sets everyone else on fire. We all come out of the bye week feeling good and fresh and then you get 2-3 next to you in the backfield, it was great. Looks great out. He’s moving around and he’s going in the right direction. So we’re curious to see what happens.”

Assuming McCaffrey plays against Tampa Bay, it remains to be seen if he will take on his usual workload. When healthy, McCaffrey was the team’s leading defender, racking up a career-high 417 touches (including playoffs) on his way to winning the Offensive Player of the Year award in 2023.

Jordan Mason, who replaced McCaffrey and ranks third in the NFL in rushing yards per game, provides depth, but he too was limited in practice Thursday due to a lingering shoulder injury. Rookie Isaac Guerendo and veteran Patrick Taylor Jr. are the other backs on the 53-man roster.

Despite these options, Shanahan has indicated that McCaffrey’s workload will be determined by how he feels as the game approaches. He noted Wednesday that he does not believe McCaffrey’s injuries are the result of overwork in previous seasons.

“I think things happen to a body,” Shanahan said. “I think they happen in the offseason, but I don’t think it really has to do with numbers. If a guy is healthy and good, they’re usually good. But we have to see where his conditioning is, how he is .I know he’s as conditioned as he can be, but how his football condition is and all that. But usually I don’t count on the numbers from one year to influence the injury the next year.’

If all goes according to plan, Shanahan also indicated to KNBR that a pair of other key Niners — receivers Jauan Jennings (hip) and Deebo Samuel (rib, oblique) — are also expected to play against the Bucs.