Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There has been a lot of speculation about the status of running back Christian McCaffrey, who was sidelined this season with Achilles tendonitis. Rumors recently surfaced that the star playmaker received bad news during his trip to Germany to seek advice from a specialist. However, those rumors, which were based on a misleading headline based on the opinion of an NHL medical director, have since been debunked.

On Thursday, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that the 49ers plan to increase McCaffrey’s workload and test his recovery progress “sooner than later.”

Speaking to reporters after practice Friday, Shanahan declined to provide specific details about McCaffrey’s trip to Germany, saying only, “He went there to get treatment.”

Shanahan added that McCaffrey’s rehab intensity will increase after Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

“Yes, we would like to step up his rehab here on Monday,” Shanahan said.

The 49ers can open McCaffrey’s practice window before their Week 6 game against the Seattle Seahawks, and he can be activated from injured reserve at any time once that happens.

General manager John Lynch also addressed McCaffrey’s recovery during an appearance on Bay Area radio station KNBR Friday morning.

“And now Christian is back here and eventually we’ll get him back,” Lynch said. “We have certain goals to achieve and we will try to ramp up. And, God willing, things have calmed down and we can rebuild him in a really smart and thoughtful way.”

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