SANTA CLARA >> Christian McCaffrey’s first practice with the 49ers in 53 days put a smile on not just his face but those of his teammates.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defenders could be the ones frowning if McCaffrey prevails through this week’s practices and makes his season debut Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. It’s trending that way, at least.

McCaffrey’s speed on a simple handoff caught Brock Purdy by pleasant surprise Monday, a welcome-back initiation for last season’s NFL offensive player of the year.

“I was energized and definitely super, super happy,” left tackle Trent Williams said. “Super happy for him that he turned the corner and he was able to go out and do what he loves again.”For most 49ers, they returned to practice Monday after a five-day hiatus, relishing their Week 9 bye. For McCaffrey, he reappeared for the first time in nearly two months.

McCaffrey has recovered well enough from Achilles tendinitis in both legs to take the next step toward his season debut, which could come as soon as Sunday.

“Obviously our offense is kind of tailor-made to him and some of his strength, so it’s definitely going to be a tremendous lift for us,” Williams said.

Other comebacks at Monday’s brief, no-pads practice were made by wide receiver Jauan Jennings (hip) and kicker Jake Moody (ankle). Understandably absent was cornerback Charvarius Ward, whose daughter, Amani Joi, passed away last Monday before her second birthday.

McCaffrey and offensive lineman Jon Feliciano had their Injured Reserve practice windows officially opened, technically providing the 49ers three weeks to activate them or nix their seasons. Still on IR amid an Achilles recovery is linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who ran on the side Monday with a helmet on, as Williams gleefully noted.

McCaffrey, last season’s NFL offensive player of the year, has worked out behind closed doors and rehabilitated his Achilles while the 49ers got off to a 4-4 start, which has them a half-game out of the NFC West lead behind Arizona (5-4).

McCaffrey was humorously hesitant to say more than hello by his locker Monday, being scheduled to formally speak with reporters later this week for the first time since Sept. 11.

Without McCaffrey, the 49ers’ run game has produced the league’s fourth-most yards, behind eight-game starter Jordan Mason (685 yards; 5.1 yards per carry) and ascending rookie Isaac Guerendo (227 yards; 6.1 ypc). However, the lack of McCaffrey’s receiving ability and all-around presence have impacted an offense that has produced 19 touchdowns and 21 field goals.

“I know how excited he is to be back. I know how hard he’s been working,” Guerendo said. “Just being able to see him out there, it’s a different type of feeling, so I’m real excited for him.”

After bypassing the 49ers’ voluntary workouts to train on his own in the offseason, McCaffrey saw his calf issues resurface a week into training camp, ruling him out for the preseason and a month of practice.

He came back Sept. 3 but was a game-day scratch from the Sept. 9 opening win over the New York Jets. He was limited in two ensuing practices before sitting out the Sept. 13 session and going on injured reserve for his first time in two years with the 49ers. As the 49ers headed to Los Angeles for their Week 3 visit with the Rams, McCaffrey traveled to Germany for advice and presumed treatment on his Achilles, with the 49ers’ blessing.

MOODY’S PROGRESS >> Moody believes there is a chance he’ll return from a three-game absence and play Sunday. He’s progressed from kicking foam-based footballs to the standard NFL pigskin.

“I’m making sure I do all the steps needed and not rushing straight back into anything,” Moody said.

His right (kicking) foot and leg got trapped under his body while attempting to make a tackle on an Oct. 6 kickoff. He believes he could have faced a tougher recovery had he injured his left, plant leg because of the pressure and force placed on it, especially on kickoffs.

“I’ve had medical people say that from how bad it looked, they were pretty surprised that it was just (a sprain) and not anything worse,” Moody said. “Glad to hear that. Hopefully I won’t be put in a situation like that again and I will learn how to tackle better.”

WARD GIVEN SPACE >> The NFL does not offer a bereavement-leave roster exemption in case Ward requests more time to grieve last week’s death of his daughter. Such a tragic incident conceivably fits among the “unusual circumstances” in which players could go on the commissioner’s exempt list. The NFL did not immediately respond to comment on that potential. When rookie Ricky Pearsall was wounded in an Aug. 30 shooting, the 49ers placed him on the reserve/non-football injury list for the first six games.

“We all reached out to him, more so than anything to give him the privacy to deal with things that a lot of us can’t even fathom,” Williams said. “Much prayers, much love, much respect to him, as always. We all tapped in with him but we’re all respecting his privacy and let him and his family get through a trying time.”

JENNINGS’ RETURN >> Jennings practiced for the first time since the Oct. 10 win at Seattle as he pushes through a psoas muscle strain in his hip and lower torso. Rather than leave for the bye week, Jennings remained in the Bay Area to continue treatment with the hopes of an imminent return to the lineup.

TRADE DEADLINE DAY >> Today at 1 p.m. is the NFL’s trade deadline. Williams described the 49ers as “super aggressive” under coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.

“I know if there’s a move to be made, they’re probably going to try and make it,” Williams said. “And if not, we’ve got more than enough in this locker room to go to war with anybody. I’m always pretty curious to see what those guys do.”

Staff writer Jerry McDonald contributed to this report.