49ers’ Christian McCaffrey returns to practice after two-week absence: ‘I feel fresh’

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — A negotiation ploy? An injury more insidious than the 49ers were letting on?

No, Christian McCaffrey said Sunday. His two-week absence from practice was more mundane than the theories that were floated.

“Obviously, when you don’t practice, the way the media works now, it’s a firestorm,” he said after taking part in Sunday’s session. “But it was kind of part of the plan from the jump — to ramp up pretty big, get nine, 10 practices in, kind of come back down and then ramp back up so we’re fresh for the duration. Our staff has come up with a specific plan, and again, I feel great.”

“I feel fresh.” Christian McCaffrey said he’s concentrating on ramping up for the regular season. pic.twitter.com/liA5yrFDKo

— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 23, 2026

McCaffrey, whom the team had said was dealing with “tightness” during his absence, noted he’s had a modified practice schedule since 2019, his third year in the league.

“I remember (offensive coordinator) Norv Turner used to kick me out of practice in Carolina,” he said. “He’d say, ‘Go find shade.’ Sometimes I can probably be my worst enemy in how much I want to be out there.”

Both McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle were in uniform for Sunday’s practice, Kittle’s first since tearing an Achilles tendon on Jan. 11. While he’s easing back in and was held out of everything but individual drills, McCaffrey took part in a handful of 11-on-11 snaps and carried the ball three times. He broke one of those carries to the right for a roughly 25-yard gain.

“I feel fresh,” he said. “It’s good to be back out there.”

Just a week ago, the 49ers’ tailback situation seemed precarious, especially with Sept. 2’s trip to Australia looming. One by one, however, their top runners have returned to the lineup. Kaelon Black (adductor) did so on Tuesday and has looked formidable in every practice sense. Jordan James (rib) returned on Saturday, and McCaffrey was back on Sunday.

While McCaffrey is the unquestioned starter, the 49ers have said the competition between James and Black for the No. 2 role would continue into the season.

“Competition is so good for a running back room,” McCaffrey said. “That hunger, that chip – that’s what keeps you going. … We feed off each other. That’s not always true in (running back) rooms. But this one is a fun one to be a part of.”

McCaffrey also said he’s been impressed by Kittle, who was back on the field seven and a half months after his injury.

“He looks incredible,” he said. “It really is amazing. It has to do with his work ethic, how much time he puts into his recovery. To come back this fast — there’s a difference between coming back quickly and coming back and looking like that.”

Odds & ends

• The 49ers’ Sunday practice was far livelier than the one they had on Saturday, including some audible gamesmanship between quarterback Brock Purdy and middle linebacker Fred Warner.

Warner relishes engaging his opponent and was having a typically prominent outing. On one play, he clotheslined Black after a quick pass over the middle, the hit leaving Black stunned on the ground for a moment (he got up and was in on the next play) and dislodging the ball. A few plays later, he broke up a pass in the flat from Purdy to Demarcus Robinson.

Purdy, however, got the last chirp when he hit Deebo Samuel on a crisp crossing route in front of Warner. The linebacker couldn’t catch up, Samuel cruised for a big gain, and Purdy let Warner know about it with a few — actually two — choice words.

“Did you guys hear that?” offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said when asked about the interaction. “I mean, it’s cool. (They’re) competitors. …They line up and compete and try to get the best of each other. They talk a little smack, but at the end of the day (there’s) a lot of respect between those two guys.”

• Purdy was sharp to begin practice, starting out 7 of 7 in team drills. His eighth pass, however, was picked off by nickel cornerback Upton Stout after rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling seemed to pull up on his route. Stribling missed Saturday’s session due to a shoulder injury. He practiced Sunday in a black, no-contact jersey but did not have the type of high-impact session that’s been common for him this summer.

• Kittle and McCaffrey weren’t the only players back at practice. Deommodore Lenoir (shoulder) was in a blue, no-contact jersey while defensive end Keion White was part of the rotation at defensive end, and receiver Malik Turner practiced in full.

Rookie Romello Height (unknown) missed practice while several players were seen working out on a side field: offensive linemen Brett Toth (concussion) and Vaderian Lowe (high ankle); linebackers Jalen Graham (unknown) and Luke Gifford (hamstring); receiver Christian Kirk (calf), cornerback Nate Hobbs (groin), defensive lineman Gracen Halton (ankle) and running back Isaac Guerendo (pectoral).

Not seen: Defensive end Nick Bosa (knee), tackle Austen Pleasants (knee) and guard Robert Jones (calf).

Receiver Mike Evans, who’s been dealing with a quadriceps injury in camp, removed himself from practice for the second time in a week. Evans also didn’t finish Tuesday’s joint practice with the Chargers in Los Angeles.

• As was the case last week, rookie Carver Willis got all of the first-team snaps at right guard. Connor Colby took snaps at left guard with the second-team unit.

• Black had another impressive practice, breaking at least two big runs. His hard-charging style, however, also created a friendly fire moment when he plowed into the back of center Jake Brendel, knocking the 300-pounder face-first to the ground. Brendel got up and took part in the next play.

• All eyes were on Kittle on Sunday, but fellow tight end Jake Tonges was prolific for the second straight day. That included back-to-back sideline catches on throws from Purdy. If Kittle couldn’t take part in the Week 1 opener, Tonges likely would start at tight end.

• Rookie tight end Khalil Dinkins has taken part in the last two practices. The blocking specialist had been part of San Francisco’s undrafted haul in April but was injured in the spring and was cut before training camp. He was re-signed Saturday. To make room, the team waived/injured defensive lineman Xavier Thomas.