San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) was limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week as he tries to make his 2024 debut in Week 10 this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was reported on Wednesday that McCaffrey was pain-free while putting in a limited session. CMC hasn't officially been activated from Injured Reserve, but that's expected to come later this week in order to debut this weekend. Because there's a chance the Niners ease the All-Pro RB into the fold on Sunday versus Tampa Bay, he'll be a more volatile low-end RB1 for fantasy managers that have been stashing the talented back all year. Jordan Mason (shoulder) has been practicing in full this week, so he looks more than ready to help shoulder the load for CMC if he makes his return in Week 10.

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody (ankle) was listed as limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday coming out of their bye. A high-ankle sprain that Moody suffered in Week 5 has kept him out for the last three games, but he's now on track to make his return to kick against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday. The Niners already cut fill-in kicker Anders Carlson on Tuesday, signaling that they are confident that Moody can play this weekend. He had the benefit of getting extra rest during the team's Week 9 bye. Fantasy managers not happy with their current kicking situation should scoop Moody up immediately if he's somehow on the waiver wire. Before getting hurt, Moody had made 13 of his 14 field-goal tries (2-for-3 from 50-plus yards) and all 12 of his extra points in five games. He's a high-end fantasy kicker when healthy.

San Francisco 49ers wide receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. (oblique, rib) and Jauan Jennings (hip) were both listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday coming out of their bye. Chris Conley (hamstring) was a DNP. Samuel was injured in the Week 8 win over the San Francisco 49ers but was able to rest up last week. Although he's not a lock to play this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 28-year-old pass-catcher is trending in the right direction. Jennings has missed the team's last two games due to a hip injury and is now hoping to return in Week 10. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is out for the season and Samuel is also banged up, so when Jennings returns, he should see enough volume in San Fran's passing attack to be worth a look as a WR4/flex in fantasy lineups. Samuel is a must-start if he's active.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) did not experience any pain issues or setbacks in his return to practice this week in a limited session on Wednesday. The 49ers opened McCaffrey's 21-day practice window this week. It appears that the star running back is on track to make his season debut after suffering his injury during training camp. With McCaffrey likely back in Week 10, fantasy managers will be ecstatic to have the consensus No. 1 overall pick back in their lineups. The 49ers backup running backs stepped up admirably in McCaffrey's absence. However, neither Jordan Mason nor Isaac Guerendo has delivered much in the way of fantasy value since week four with the exception of Guerendo's 19.2-point Week 8. With McCaffrey likely to return in Week 10 in Tampa Bay, both players should be relegated to benches. However, McCaffrey is unlikely to play a full allotment of snaps in his first week back and is at risk of reinjury. As such, hold on to Mason and Guerendo for the time being.

ESPN's Nick Wagoner reports that it appeared that San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody (ankle) was back at practice on Monday coming out of the bye week. Nothing is official this early in the week, but if Moody continues to make progress in practices throughout the week, he could have a real chance to return for Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Moody, one of the best fantasy kickers when healthy, hasn't played since Week 5 due to a right-ankle sprain. In the meantime, the Niners have been rolling with second-year man Anders Carlson as their field-goal specialist. Before his injury, Moody made 13 of 14 field-goal tries and all 12 of his extra points in five contests. If he's on your league's waiver wire and you are in need at the kicking position, Moody is a no-brainer pickup if he gets the green light to return this weekend.