Christian McCaffrey returns to 49ers practice, addresses injury speculation
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 24, 2026, 5:57 AM
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Christian McCaffrey returned to San Francisco 49ers practice on August 24 after two weeks away due to calf and body tightness. He stated that his absence was part of a planned strategy to ramp up his workload gradually ahead of the regular season. The speculation surrounding his absence included suggestions of a contract hold-in, which McCaffrey refuted. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan supported McCaffrey's explanation, confirming the validity of his physical concerns. McCaffrey's health is crucial for the 49ers as they approach their season opener.
- •McCaffrey missed practice starting August 8 due to injury concerns.
- •He returned to drills with a planned phased workload increase.
- •McCaffrey clarified that no contract hold-in tactic was involved.
- •Coach Shanahan also confirmed the legitimacy of McCaffrey's physical issues.
- •McCaffrey's fitness is crucial for the 49ers' upcoming season.
- 5:57 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Part of the Plan’ — Christian McCaffrey Breaks Silence on Conspiracy Theory Linking Injury to Contract Hold-In Tactic
"Christian McCaffrey has finally addressed the speculation surrounding his extended absence from San Francisco 49ers training camp. After missing roughly two weeks of practice, the star running back returned to team drills on Sunday and explained that his limited workload was planned from the beginning.
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