49ers star McCaffrey's injury is actually about money

Key Points:

• Christian McCaffrey has missed a week of practice with the San Francisco 49ers due to reported "tightness," but NFL insiders Chris Simms and Mike Florio suggest this absence may be a quiet contract holdout rather than just an injury.
• McCaffrey is in the first year of a two-year, $38 million extension signed in 2024, making him the highest-paid running back at the time, but recent extensions for other running backs have surpassed his $19 million per year average, potentially motivating him to seek a new deal.
• The 49ers have downplayed concerns, describing McCaffrey’s absence as injury management and expressing confidence in his readiness for Week 1, similar to their previous handling of wide receiver Jauan Jennings' contract-related injury situation.
• Simms notes McCaffrey’s age (30) and injury history could make the 49ers hesitant to offer a long-term, fully guaranteed contract extension, suggesting any new deal might focus on incentives or short-term adjustments.
• The situation remains uncertain, with insiders anticipating ongoing negotiations and potential developments regarding McCaffrey’s contract status as the season approaches.