Christian McCaffrey took a few minutes to address reporters Friday for the first time since Sept. 12, which was the last time he spoke publicly before going on injured reserve for Achilles tendinitis in both feet.

A transcription of what McCaffrey had to say the 49ers (4-4) departed to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) Sunday:

Q: Can you take us through the Germany trip?

McCaffrey: I keep all that stuff private. When youre on I.R. and youre hurt, youll do anything to come back. Im feeling good now and thats all that matters.

Q: It was said that rest was an important component to your recovery. Would you agree with that?

McCaffrey: I wish it was that easy. Its a combination of a lot of things that go into it. Our staff did an amazing job. The last eight weeks were extremely unfortunate for me. Its very tough being injured. Its tough physically, mentally, emotionally. Especially when its not how you planned it and it wasnt expected and some stuff just went wrong, but Im feeling great now and Im ready to go.

Q: How did you get through that time?

McCaffrey: One day at a time. Youve just got to trust in God and just take it one day at a time. It can be dark sometimes, especially when its something like that and you feel like its . . . having to watch games, youre physically in pain. Trying so hard not to let stuff like that happen and a lot goes into it. I think about football pretty much every day of my life. It consumes about 98 percent of my life. So when it doesnt go right, it can be very tough. All I know is it makes you realizes how blessed and fortunate you are when you are on that field, so Im happy to be back.

Q: Kyle Shanahan said going on I.R. kind of took the pressure off in terms of giving it some time. Was it the same for you?

McCaffrey: I can say this from John (Lynch) to Kyle, to Jed (York) and the whole training staff, the way that the treated everything and the way that they went about it was amazing. Sometimes you need people in your corner that can look after you and maybe they know whats best for you when there are times when you want to suck it up and do something that might be risky. They handled it, and the training staff and the strength staff, Im really fortunate.

Q: What was your mindset getting back on the field for practice?

McCaffrey: Ah, just a lot of gratitude. Sometimes you take it for granted that you play this game for a living. Its what you do, its what you train for, but when its taken from you, even for just a little bit of time, it makes you appreciate every single day youre on the grass.

Q: Were you able to stay in the meeting room and was it gratifying to see what Jordan (Mason) and Isaac (Guerendo) were able to do?

McCaffrey: I stayed as much as I could. When youre on I.R., theres no need to. Well, there is a need to, but pretty much every hour of the day is devoted to getting healthy and not necessarily in the meetings. Its a lot of treatment, a lot of prehab stuff, rehab, training, etcetera. Sleep, rest, you name it. But it was amazing to see what those guys have done and will continue to do. We have such an amazing room, Ill put our guys up against anybodys. To see what those guys have done is no shock when youve got a guy like Bobby Turner as your coach. Theres a standard in that room and the guys did a hell of a job and will continue to do a hell of a job.

Q: Is there anything you have to train about your pregame routine because of these injuries?

McCaffrey: Ive changed a good amount, yeah. A lot of people have asked me, `What do you do for training? And Im done answering. Im figuring it out every day. All I know is Ive got a good routine right now and I feel good, and thats all that matters.

Q: What level of confidence do you have that youre done with these Achilles issues?

McCaffrey: I feel good now. I wouldnt be out here if it was still bothering me. I feel great.

Q: What do you feel about the positioning of this team right now at 4-4 with nine games left in the regular season?

McCaffrey: I feel great. I love where our attitude is at. You can feel the energy in practice and in the meeting room. Hungry, with our backs against the wall is right where we want to be.