Christian McCaffrey had been absent from San Francisco practices for over two weeks, but he finally returned on Sunday. Concerns about his health arose while he was away, and the Niners were unclear about his exact status.
McCaffrey spoke about his recent absences, explaining that it was part of San Francisco’s plan all along.
“This was kind of part of the plan from the jump,” McCaffrey said after Sunday’s practice sessions, via Marc Adams of 49erswebzone.com.
“Was to ramp up pretty big, get 9, 10 practices in, kind of come back down, and then ramp back up so we’re fresh for the duration.”
The 49ers appear to have a careful approach in McCaffrey’s practice usage, which is unsurprising given his injury history and the fact that he just turned 30 years old in June.
The four-time Pro Bowler appeared in only four games in 2024 due to an Achilles issue on top of a posterior collateral ligament injury. In his return to action in 2025, he managed to stay healthy and play in 17 games, rushing for 1,202 yards and 19 touchdowns on 311 carries, while adding 924 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 102 receptions and 129 targets.
As it stands, McCaffrey appears to be on the right path toward starting at running back in the 49ers’ 2026 NFL season opener against the Los Angeles Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 10.
