08/10/26 03:19:00
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08/10 15:17 CDT McCaffrey sits out practice with 'tightness' as the 49ers
manage his workload
McCaffrey sits out practice with 'tightness' as the 49ers manage his workload
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Pro Football Writer
SNATA CLARA, Calif. (AP) --- San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian
McCaffrey was held out of practice on Monday with what the team described as
general tightness.
The 30-year-old McCaffrey had participated in every practice so far this summer
for the 49ers as the team altered its schedule for training camp this year to
eliminate stretches of three straight full practices.
Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said McCaffrey was "doing fine" and the team
was managing his workload.
"Christian always kind of has his rep count in any camp," offensive coordinator
Klay Kubiak said. "You guys are aware of the adjustments we've made to our
schedule to kind of keep them from having too many off days. But in terms of
his rep load, we're right on track where we want to be. He's a veteran player,
so you got to monitor him and get him ready for the first week."
San Francisco is hoping to find a reliable backup for McCaffrey to lighten his
workload after he led the NFL with 413 touches from scrimmage in the 2025
regular season.
But the team has been short-handed at running back with the top three projected
backups to McCaffrey also out with injuries. Rookie Kaelon Black has been
sidelined by an adductor injury, second-year back Jordan James broke his ribs
early in training camp and third-year player Isaac Guerendo has been sidelined
by a torn pectoral muscle suffered earlier in the offseason.
Patrick Taylor Jr., Sincere McCormick and Khalil Herbert handled most of the
load at running back on Monday.
"It sucks because you want those young guys out there who we drafted and who we
want to see compete and want to see get better," Kubiak said. "Those guys will
get back out there. They're not far away. But it's given guys opportunities to
get better, too."
The Niners did bring back receiver Deebo Samuel earlier in training camp and he
has been getting work as a running back as well.
"When he has the ball in his hand, there's nobody more explosive, more dynamic
on the field," Kubiak said. "In terms of managing his load, Deebo has got to be
able to affect the game in a lot of ways. That's our plan with him."
Defensive end Nick Bosa also was out, missing his fourth straight practice with
what the team described as soreness. Bosa is working his way back after going
down with a season-ending torn ACL in Week 3 last year.
Bosa had only participated in individual drills early in camp before being held
out but coach Kyle Shanahan has said the team isn't overly concerned about his
status.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
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