Kyle Shanahan: Christian McCaffrey's absence is not contract-related
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan denied rumors that Christian McCaffrey is holding out for a better contract, stating there are no contract-related issues between the player and the team.
- McCaffrey, who turned 30 in June, has been held out of practice due to unspecified tightness, with the 49ers exercising caution given his injury history and recent heavy workload.
- Last season, McCaffrey led the league with a career-high 413 touches in 17 regular-season games and added 37 touches in the postseason, highlighting his significant usage.
- Despite his high production in 2023, McCaffrey only played four games in the 2024 season, underscoring concerns about his durability and the team's cautious approach during the preseason.
- Shanahan indicated that if it were a game week and not a practice, McCaffrey likely would have played, suggesting his absence is more about recovery than contract disputes.
