The San Francisco 49ers just can’t seem to catch a break. Throughout training camp, injuries have been a major problem across the roster.
Now, their most dependable weapon from last season, Christian McCaffrey, might have also joined the list. Here is everything fans need to know about his fitness ahead of 2026 kickoff.
Latest on 49ers Star Christian McCaffrey’s Injury
Over the last few weeks, McCaffrey has been held out of training camp and practices by the 49ers. At the time, they described it as “tightness,” which had a lot of fans worried, given his complicated injury history.
However, on Sunday, he returned to the practice field and claimed that taking some time away was part of the plan for the upcoming season for them. Explaining the choice, he spoke to the media after the practice.
“This was kind of part of the plan from the jump, to ramp up pretty big, get 9-10 practices in, come back down, and then ramp back up so we’re fresh for the duration.” Specifically, he revealed that a specific plan was put in place for the veterans on the roster.
Always the ultimate competitor, the superstar running back has tried to be on the field as much as possible, sometimes to his and the team’s detriment. But he’s learning to trust the medical professionals, especially after Achilles and calf issues derailed his 2024 season.
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When Will Christian McCaffrey Return?
McCaffrey is already back to practicing with the team, and it looks like he wants to get in 9-10 practices before the season rolls around. For the time being, his focus is getting fully prepared for the season.
The update that the fan base would be most happy to hear, though, was relatively simple. “I feel great,” the four-time Pro Bowler said. “I feel fresh, and it’s good to be back out there.”
But for the first time in a while, McCaffrey has an extremely deep running back room to support him, lest the burden of the run game fall exclusively on his shoulders. In his comments, he alluded to the same, praising the group the 49ers have built.
“Our whole room is so deep. So many guys who just play the right way, who go through meetings the right way. That room’s a fist. And obviously starts with Bobby [Turner, running backs coach] and bleeds down to us.”
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49ers Depth Chart
Kaelon Black
The newest member of their running back room, Kaelon Black was drafted in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft after a spectacular year with the Indiana Hoosiers. Playing a key role in their run to the national championship, he was the perfect running mate for Fernando Mendoza.
Recording 1,040 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, he averaged an absurd 5.6 yards per carry, doing his damage in just 186 carries. In preseason so far, he’s gotten eight carries under his belt, adding 33 rushing yards.
Jordan James
Taken in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Jordan James barely got any playing time for the 49ers last season. But during his time at Oregon, he proved himself to be an extremely proficient weapon.
Getting 233 carries in his final year, he tallied 1,267 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He was also a threat catching the ball, recording 209 yards on 26 receptions.
However, a rib injury had kept him out of practice before he made his return to the field just a day before McCaffrey. Still, for the time being, the 49ers are taking precautions and have him designated as Questionable.
Isaac Guerendo
A 2024 pick for the 49ers, Isaac Guerendo got some burn in his rookie season, tallying 420 yards and four touchdowns, while also adding 152 yards through the air on just 15 receptions.
Unfortunately, he was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list after tearing his pectoral muscle early in the offseason, right before OTAs, during a weightlifting session.
