FRISCO - We are approaching the end of October, and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has yet to make his official debut. An Achilles injury has kept the star running back sidelined throughout the 2024 campaign - and now the Dallas Cowboys know that for all of the challenges they may face on "Sunday Night Football'' this week ... they won't face the MVP-caliber star.

Initially, the injury seemed only a minor setback before he landed on the team's injured reserve. That concerned ballooned when McCaffrey sought after treatment in Germany in September.

Now the calendar has turned to October and he has yet to return to action. Jordan Mason enjoyed the benefits of a semi-breakout campaign as the team's new starter. And he'll be an offensive centerpiece for the 3-4 Niners as they play host to the 3-3 Cowboys on Sunday.

At one point a few days ago, Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said he'd be "surprised'' if "CMC'' came back this week. And now the team has announced that he'll remain sidelined - but with an anticipated return for McCaffrey estimated for November and Week 10, when the Niners play Tampa Bay.

The Cowboys wish no ill will on anyone. But they will take every available break, especially considering that they've lost to the Niners three times in the last three years.

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The Cowboys are coming off a bye and licking their wounds as they have an urgency to turn things around after a 47-9 blowout loss. The Niners? Their wounds are not just emotional as their offensive injury issues - in addition to McCaffrey - include Brandon Aiyuk having been lost for the season and Deebo Samuel and George Kittle being less than 100 percent.

Both of these teams probably feel they could use a lucky break to fuel a turnaround. But if San Francisco gets that from the gifted McCaffrey? From a Dallas perspective, at least it won't come this week.