CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY MISSES 49ERS PRACTICE WITH MUSCLE TIGHTNESS

Christian McCaffrey has missed San Francisco 49ers training camp practice for approximately one week because of muscle tightness, according to NFL Network. Ian Rapoport reported that the running back's absence is not related to a contract dispute, despite speculation that McCaffrey might be seeking improved financial terms following recent extensions signed by other players. Rapoport stated the tightness was genuine and not expected to cause significant concern. The 49ers have not disclosed the specific location of the tightness or its cause.

McCaffrey is in the first season of a two-year, $38 million extension agreed in 2024. His injury history has raised some concern: during the 2024 season, he missed 13 games because of calf and Achilles problems in both legs and a PCL sprain to his right knee. In 2025, he dealt with a calf injury but continued playing despite appearing on the injury report. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the primary concern was that McCaffrey might aggravate the tightness during play, potentially causing a more serious injury requiring a month of absence.

Shanahan stated McCaffrey needs to be fully prepared for the start of the regular season in Week 1. Rapoport described the timing of McCaffrey's absence, which coincided with contract extensions for running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson, as coincidental rather than evidence of a hold-in by McCaffrey.