McCaffrey Returns to 49ers Practice, Says Absence Was Planned

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey returned to practice on Sunday, August 23, ending a two-week absence that had sparked speculation about his status. McCaffrey and the team both emphasized that the time away was a carefully managed plan designed to keep the star running back healthy and fresh for the 2026 regular season.

McCaffrey, who had been held out of practice for approximately 15 days due to what the team labeled as tightness, told reporters after Sunday's session that the break was intentional from the start of training camp. He said the approach involved ramping up his workload for roughly nine or 10 practices, scaling back, and then building again to ensure he enters the season at peak condition. He said he feels great and described himself as fresh and ready to be back on the field.

The 30-year-old participated in a handful of 11-on-11 snaps during Sunday's practice, including a carry that broke for approximately 25 yards. Head coach Kyle Shanahan had previously dismissed suggestions that McCaffrey's absence was related to a contract dispute, calling that assumption wrong when addressing reporters on August 18. McCaffrey acknowledged that the nature...