Shanahan Cites Tightness for Christian McCaffrey’s Absence in El Segundo

Coach Kyle Shanahan dismissed rumors that Christian McCaffrey is holding out for a new deal, noting the running back would play if it were a game week.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Tuesday that running back Christian McCaffrey has missed multiple practices due to muscle tightness. The 49ers star, who led the NFL with 413 touches and ranked second in the league with 2,126 yards from scrimmage last season, is being held out as a precautionary measure. Shanahan stated that if the team were currently in a game week, McCaffrey would have participated in the session. The update followed a joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers where the running back was observed visiting with family and his young daughter on a secondary field.

Speculation regarding McCaffrey's status intensified Monday, suggesting his absence might be linked to the $134.25 million in combined contracts recently awarded to Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs and Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson. McCaffrey currently has two years remaining on an extension signed in 2024, featuring a $10.86 million cap hit for the current season and a $26.41 million figure for 2027. Shanahan explicitly rejected the theory that these market shifts prompted a holdout, labeling the conjecture as an incorrect assumption.

Managing McCaffrey's Workload and Health

The 49ers are prioritizing long-term health to avoid a repeat of the 2024 season, when McCaffrey missed the first eight games due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis. That condition initially presented as a minor injury during training camp before escalating. While Shanahan declined to specify the exact location of the current tightness—citing the player’s preference for privacy regarding injury details—he emphasized the need to prevent minor strain from becoming a significant long-term issue.

In the backfield, the team saw the return of rookie Kaelon Black on Tuesday. The third-round draft pick rejoined the active roster for the joint practice after recovering from an adductor injury. His return provides depth as the coaching staff manages the veterans' repetitions during the preseason schedule.

Defensive and Wide Receiver Injury Reports

Nick Bosa continues to progress in his recovery from a torn ACL, despite missing the past two weeks of team drills. The defensive end, who performed side workouts in view of reporters on Sunday, is dealing with irritation and soreness described as tendinitis. Shanahan noted that Bosa showed significant improvement compared to the previous week, experiencing less irritation as he follows a recovery trajectory similar to McCaffrey’s cautious ramp-up. Bosa’s activity has been limited to individual drills during the opening days of camp.

On the offensive perimeter, wide receiver Mike Evans participated in the majority of Tuesday’s practice before being pulled prior to the final periods. Evans, who recently returned from a tight quad, was seen with his left foot wrapped in ice before the pack was moved to his left quad for the remainder of the session. Shanahan indicated the move was a smart precaution due to reported tightness and expressed no immediate concern regarding the receiver's status for upcoming activities.

Contract Context and Roster Movements

The 49ers' approach to McCaffrey’s health coincides with his status as the focal point of the offense following his league-leading usage rates. The team remains focused on his availability for the regular season rather than rushing him through August sessions in El Segundo. By dismissing the contract adjustment rumors, Shanahan signaled that the internal focus remains entirely on physical readiness. The coaching staff will continue to monitor the recovery of both Bosa and Evans as they transition out of joint practices.