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 with Achilles tendinitis in both legs.

A transcript of what McCaffrey had to say as the 49ers (4-4) left to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) on Sunday:

Q: Can you take us through your trip to Germany?

McCaffrey: I keep all this stuff private. When you’re on IR and you’re hurt, you’ll do anything to get back. I feel good now and that’s all that matters.

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

McCaffrey: I wish it was that easy. It’s a combination of a lot of things that go into it. Our staff did an amazing job. The last eight weeks have been extremely unhappy for me. It’s very hard to be hurt. It’s hard physically, mentally, emotionally. Especially when it’s not as you planned and it wasn’t expected and some things went wrong but now I feel great and I’m ready to go.

Q: How did you get through that period?

McCaffrey: One day at a time. You just have to trust God and take it one day at a time. Sometimes it can be dark, especially when it’s like this and you feel it. . . If you have to watch the matches, it physically hurts. Trying so hard not to let things like this happen and it happens a lot. I think about football almost every day of my life. It consumes about 98 percent of my life. So when it goes wrong, it can be really hard. All I know is that it makes you realize how blessed and lucky you are when you’re on that field, so I’m happy to be back.

Q: Kyle Shanahan said going to IR has taken the pressure off of putting in the 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 they handled everything and the way they went about it was amazing. Sometimes you need people in your corner who can take care of you and maybe they know what’s best for you when there are times when you want to buckle down and do something that might be risky. They handled it, and the training staff and the strength staff, I’m very fortunate.

Q: What was your mindset going back to training?

McCaffrey: Ah, just a lot of gratitude. Sometimes you take it for granted that you play this game for a living. It’s what you do, it’s what you train for, but when it’s taken away from you, even for a little while, it makes you appreciate every day you’re on the grass.

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

McCaffrey: I stayed as long as I could. When you’re on IR, there’s no need. Well, it’s needed, but almost every hour of the day is dedicated to being healthy and not necessarily dating. There is a lot of treatment, a lot of prehab stuff, rehab, training, etc. Sleep, rest, whatever you want to say. But it was amazing to see what these guys have done and what they will continue to do. We have such an amazing room, I’ll put our guys up against anyone. Seeing what those guys did is not a shock when you have a guy like Bobby Turner as your coach. There is a standard in that room and the guys have done one hell of a job and will continue to do one hell of a job.

Q: Do you have to work out anything about your pre-match routine because of these injuries?

McCaffrey: I changed a good amount, yes. Many people have asked me, “What do you do for training?” And I’m done answering. I realize it every day. All I know is that I have a good routine now and I feel good and that’s all that matters.