Christian McCaffrey is back at 49ers practice — in uniform for the first time in three weeks

Christian McCaffrey is back on the field. The 49ers' star running back took a major step forward Sunday morning when he appeared at practice in uniform for the first time in roughly three weeks, ending a training-camp absence that had begun to loom over San Francisco's offseason.

McCaffrey had been sidelined by what the team has described only as "tightness," and the length of the layoff made him one of the bigger question marks left on the 49ers' injury sheet. The concern was never about a specific long-term diagnosis — no such details were ever reported — but simply about volume: three missed weeks in August is a lot for any back, let alone one who touches the ball as often as McCaffrey does.

The timing lines up with what Kyle Shanahan indicated earlier this week. Speaking a couple of days ago, Shanahan said he expected McCaffrey to be ready for Week 1, and Sunday's return keeps that on schedule — there are roughly two and a half weeks before the regular-season opener, enough runway to ramp up without needing to rush him back into full contact immediately.

He was not alone, either. McCaffrey's return came alongside George Kittle, who was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Saturday, giving the 49ers their two most important offensive weapons on the grass at the same time for the first time this camp.

For an offense that has spent much of August managing injuries, getting both players back before cutdown week is the outcome San Francisco wanted. The next checkpoint will be how much work McCaffrey takes this week and whether he appears in any capacity in the final preseason look — but as of Sunday, the plan for him to start the season as the centerpiece of the offense remains intact.