Christian McCaffrey is making his 2024 debut today, and the 49ers used him extensively in the first half.
The running back had 10 touches for 44 yards in the first half, and the 49ers lead the Bucs 10-3.
The 49ers outgained the Bucs 200 to 101 in the first half and drove to the Tampa 39, 10 and 31on their non-touchdown drives, not counting a kneel down at the end of the half. They came away with three points out of those three possessions.
49ers kicker Jake Moody kicked a 28-yard field goal but missed a 49-yarder in his return from a high-ankle sprain.
San Francisco punted on their first drive after stalling at the 39.
Rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall, playing his third game after being shot Aug. 31 after an attempted robbery, scored his first career touchdown. He went 46 yards with a Brock Purdy pass. Pearsall has two catches for 53 yards, and Purdy is 10-of-16 for 153 yards.
The Bucs scored their only points on a 30-yard Chase McLaughlin field goal after stalling at the San Francisco 12.
Baker Mayfield completed 11 of 15 passes for 65 yards, with Cade Otton catching five for 35.
The Bucs lost left tackle Tristan Wirfs to a knee injury in the first half. He has a right knee injury and his return is questionable.
49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall needed only three games and eight catches to score his first touchdown.
With the 49ers at the Tampa Bay 46, the first-round draft pick caught a pass from Brock Purdy at the 30 and and ran untouched the rest of the way. The 46-yard touchdown has the 49ers on top 7-0 with 4:15 left in the first quarter.
Pearsall was shot in the chest Aug. 31 during an attempted robbery. He made his NFL debut Oct. 20 against the Chiefs.
He caught seven passes for 59 yards in his first two games.
The 49ers have used running back Christian McCaffrey extensively so far, and he has four touches for 26 yards. McCaffrey is making his 2024 debut after working his way back from bilateral Achilles tendinitis.
Every week we bring you all the inactives from the 1 p.m. ET games in one post, constantly updated with the latest information.
The 49ers won’t be quite at full strength as they hit the field in Tampa on Sunday, but they’re pretty close.
Defensive end Nick Bosa, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and running back Christian McCaffrey are all active for the Niners. Bosa and Samuel were listed as questionable, but a report on Sunday morning indicated that the wideout would play through rib and oblique injuries. Bosa has a hip injury.
McCaffrey is making his 2024 debut after spending months on injured reserve with an Achilles injury.
49ers at Buccaneers
49ers: QB Josh Dobbs, CB Charvarius Ward, WR Chris Conley, DT Kevin Givens, TE Brayden Willis, OL Ben Bartch
Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans, S Tykee Smith, LB Jose Ramirez, LB Antonio Grier, OL Royce Newman, TE Devin Culp, DL Earnest Brown
Patriots at Bears
Patriots: S Kyle Dugger, LB Christian Elliss, DT Eric Johnson, QB Joe Milton, DE Yannick Ngakoue, G Tyrese Robinson, WR Tyquan Thornton
Bears: OL Nate Davis, S Jaquan Brisker, OL Darnell Wright, OL Braxton Jones, OL Kiran Amegadjie, DL Darrell Taylor, LB Noah Sewell, DB Ameer Speed
Bills at Colts
Bills: OL Will Clapp, WR Keon Coleman, WR Amari Cooper, FB Reggie Gilliam, WR KJ Hamler, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
Colts: DE Genard Avery, QB Sam Ehlinger, DT Adam Gotsis, WR Anthony Gould, S Darren Hall, WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Vikings at Jaguars
Vikings: CB Fabian Moreau, CB Dwight McGlothern, DT Levi Drake Rodriguez, OL Dan Feeney, T Walter Rouse, QB Brett Rypien
Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence, DE Myles Cole, OL Ezra Cleveland, DT Esezi Otomewo, DT Maason Smith
Broncos at Chiefs
Broncos: QB Zach Wilson, TE Greg Dulcich, S Keidron Smith, OL Calvin Throckmorton, OL Frank Crum, CB Kris Abrams-Draine, DL Eni Uwazurike
Chiefs: OL CJ Hanson, T Ethan Driskell, DT Marlon Tuipulotu, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, DE Cameron Thomas
Falcons at Saints
Falcons: RB Jase McClellan, LB JD Bertrand, LB Rashaan Evans, DL Brandon Dorlus, OL Jovaughn Gwyn, OL Elijah Wilkinson, T Brandon Parker
Saints: WR Cedrick Wilson, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, QB Spencer Rattler, RB Jamaal Williams, LB Jaylan Ford, OL Lucas Patrick, DT Khristian Boyd
Steelers at Commanders
Steelers: QB Kyle Allen, WR Scott Miller, CB C.J. Henderson, LB Nick Herbig, G Max Scharping
Commanders: K Austin Seibert, RB Brian Robinson Jr., QB Jeff Driskel, S Darrick Forrest, CB Marshon Lattimore, LB Dominique Hampton, T Cornelius Lucas
The 49ers are set to have running back Christian McCaffrey in the lineup for the first time this season when they face the Buccaneers on Sunday and another key offensive piece is expected to be on hand as well.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was limited in practice all week due to rib and oblique injuries and he was listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report on Friday. According to multiple reports, Samuel will be on the field against Tampa on Sunday afternoon.
Samuel has 24 catches for 406 yards and a touchdown to go with 23 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown in seven appearances this season.
Defensive end Nick Bosa (hip) and safety Malik Mustapha (calf) are the other questionable players for the 49ers. A preview of the matchup with the Buccaneers and looks at all of this week’s other games can be found here.
Christian McCaffrey is officially back.
After the running back returned to practice this week, the 49ers announced they’ve activated McCaffrey to the 53-man roster in advance of the team’s matchup with the Buccaneers on Sunday.
This was the expected move after McCaffrey was a full participant in practice on Friday, though San Francisco did list McCaffrey as questionable.
McCaffrey, who has been sidelined all year with bilateral Achilles tendinitis, was the AP offensive player of the year last season. He led the league with 2,023 yards from scrimmage, 1,459 yards rushing, and 21 total touchdowns. He then put up 420 yards from scrimmage with five total touchdowns in three postseason games.
McCaffrey told reporters on Friday that he’s feeling good and has a good routine now.
Additionally, the 49ers announced they’ve elevated safety Tashaun Gipson from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday.
