Shanahan: Christian McCaffrey's absence is 'just tightness,' not contract-related
Kyle Shanahan pushed back on speculation that McCaffrey's missed practice time is tied to his contract, saying the star back would have practiced had it been a game week.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is trying to put a lid on the speculation surrounding Christian McCaffrey's recent practice absences.
Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner): #49ers HC Kyle Shanahan's answers on RB Christian McCaffrey's status: (On whether there's a contract-related issue) "I think they make a lot of assumptions and that would be one that they're wrong on." (On CMC returning to practice) "I think if it wasn't Christian and we were in a game week, I think he would play today."
Shanahan, speaking after Tuesday's joint practice with the Chargers, said there is no contract-related motivation behind McCaffrey's time off. "I think they make a lot of assumptions and that would be one that they're wrong on," he said, per beat writer Nick Wagoner, whom Ian Rapoport quoted. The coach framed the issue simply: McCaffrey is dealing with muscle tightness.
"I think if it wasn't Christian and we were in a game week, I think he would play today," Shanahan added. In other words, the 49ers are managing a star they know will be ready when it counts, not navigating a holdout or dispute.
The context matters. McCaffrey, who missed time a year ago with a variety of soft-tissue issues, is the centerpiece of San Francisco's offense, and any missed rep draws outsized attention. Adam Schefter reported earlier that Shanahan said McCaffrey would have practiced Tuesday were it not for the joint session, and that the team has no reason to believe the absence is contract related.
For now, the 49ers are treating it as routine camp maintenance on a veteran they intend to have fully available for the regular season.