Christian McCaffrey sits out practice with ‘tightness,’ 49ers not concerned

Star running back Christian McCaffrey joined a host of San Francisco 49ers teammates on the sideline at Monday’s practice, missing his first session of training camp with what the team called “tightness.”

The 49ers declined to specify where McCaffrey is experiencing the tightness, but offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said after practice that the team is not concerned about the injury.

“No, just managing,” Kubiak said. “A little sore, but he’s doing fine, so we’re just managing him as we go.”

McCaffrey, who turned 30 in June, played in all 17 games in 2025 and finished with 413 touches, the most by any NFL player since 2014. It was the third time he has led the league in that stat. After each of the previous two (in 2019 and 2023), he missed 13 games because of injury the following season (in 2020 and 2024).

Kubiak said the 49ers’ approach with McCaffrey has been similar to his first three training camps with the team.

“Christian kind of always has his rep count in any camp,” Kubiak said. “We’re right on track with where we want to be. He’s a veteran player, so you’ve got to monitor him and get him ready for the first week.”

McCaffrey’s absence left the 49ers without their top four running backs; 2025 fifth-round pick Jordan James (rib) and 2026 third-rounder Kaelon Black (adductor) have missed practices recently, and Isaac Guerendo is working his way back from a torn pectoral muscle suffered in the offseason. On Monday, the team’s running backs were Patrick Taylor Jr., Sincere McCormick and Khalil Herbert, with Deebo Samuel also getting the occasional carry.

The 49ers have had practices with as many as 20 players sitting out because of injuries during camp, though most of the ailments appear to be minor, with wide receiver Ricky Pearsall’s season-ending knee surgery the exception. Mike Evans has missed the past several practices with a quad strain, and Christian Kirk has a calf injury that has kept him out since the first day of camp, but the veteran receivers have been working before practice and the team doesn’t seem concerned about either of them.

Defensive end Nick Bosa has missed a few recent practices because of “soreness” as he continues his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in September.