As if the Buccaneers weren’t dealing with enough within their own facility with injuries and frustration stemming from a three game losing streak, but now it looks like they have another thorn about to dig into their side. All signs point to All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey making his season debut this week with the 49ers as they travel to Tampa to take on the Bucs.
McCaffrey has dealt with calf and achilles injuries all season, causing him to miss the first nine weeks. Now, after returning to practice, he’s set to make his return. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said CMC is “good to go,” despite being listed as questionable on the injury report.
McCaffrey has played the Bucs twice since becoming a 49er, racking up 197 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries as well as 59 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions.
Bowles has had trouble against Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers since joining the Bucs in 2019, seeing Shanahan’s Niners rack up 93 points in three games and losing all three times. Two of those three games came on the road and this is the first meeting in Tampa since their 31-17 loss at Ray Jay in 2019.
The Bucs rank 19th in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing 130.8 yards per game. Not only is McCaffrey able to change everything the Niners do schematically on offense, but he creates opportunities for other players just by being a threat every time he’s on the field.
The good news for the Bucs, if there is a silver lining, is that you shouldn’t expect McCaffrey to get his regular snap count. He’s probably looking at about half the snaps he would normally take as he gets reacclimated to in-game action. He even mentioned this week that despite all his workouts and practices, you can’t replicate game speed so that’s something that will take a small adjustment. The Niners, with aspirations of getting on track and competing for a championship, also won’t want to overload him too soon and risk losing him right after he returns.
The Bucs already had their hands full with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, but now dealing with McCaffrey is the last thing a reeling defense wanted to have to see.
When: Sunday, November 10
Where: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX – Kevin Burkhardt (Play by Play), Tom Brady (Analyst), Erin Andrews & Tom Rinaldi (Reporters)
Bucs Radio: 98Rock – Gene Deckerhoff (Play by Play), Dave Moore (Color), T.J. Rives (Reporter)
Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente – Carlos Bohorquez (Play by Play), Martín Gramática (Analyst), Santiago Gramática (Reporter)
As if the Buccaneers weren’t dealing with enough within their own facility with injuries and frustration stemming from a three game losing streak, but now it looks like they have another thorn about to dig into their side. All signs point to All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey making his season debut this week with the 49ers as they travel to Tampa to take on the Bucs.
McCaffrey has dealt with calf and achilles injuries all season, causing him to miss the first nine weeks. Now, after returning to practice, he’s set to make his return. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said CMC is “good to go,” despite being listed as questionable on the injury report.
McCaffrey has played the Bucs twice since becoming a 49er, racking up 197 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries as well as 59 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions.
Bowles has had trouble against Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers since joining the Bucs in 2019, seeing Shanahan’s Niners rack up 93 points in three games and losing all three times. Two of those three games came on the road and this is the first meeting in Tampa since their 31-17 loss at Ray Jay in 2019.
The Bucs rank 19th in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing 130.8 yards per game. Not only is McCaffrey able to change everything the Niners do schematically on offense, but he creates opportunities for other players just by being a threat every time he’s on the field.
The good news for the Bucs, if there is a silver lining, is that you shouldn’t expect McCaffrey to get his regular snap count. He’s probably looking at about half the snaps he would normally take as he gets reacclimated to in-game action. He even mentioned this week that despite all his workouts and practices, you can’t replicate game speed so that’s something that will take a small adjustment. The Niners, with aspirations of getting on track and competing for a championship, also won’t want to overload him too soon and risk losing him right after he returns.
The Bucs already had their hands full with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, but now dealing with McCaffrey is the last thing a reeling defense wanted to have to see.
When: Sunday, November 10
Where: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX – Kevin Burkhardt (Play by Play), Tom Brady (Analyst), Erin Andrews & Tom Rinaldi (Reporters)
Bucs Radio: 98Rock – Gene Deckerhoff (Play by Play), Dave Moore (Color), T.J. Rives (Reporter)
Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente – Carlos Bohorquez (Play by Play), Martín Gramática (Analyst), Santiago Gramática (Reporter)
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