The 49ers got a much-needed boost Thursday when Christian McCaffrey made it back onto the practice field ahead of Sunday’s Week 9 meeting with the Raiders.
McCaffrey was listed as a limited participant after missing Wednesday’s session with a hamstring injury, a step forward for San Francisco as it comes out of its Week 8 bye and turns its attention to Las Vegas.
The issue is a mild left hamstring strain, and it had put his status for Sunday in question. Thursday’s update, shared by The Athletic’s Sam Warren on X, formerly Twitter, showed the change in his practice status after he was a nonparticipant the day before.
Raiders CB Darien Porter was a limited participant in his return to practice on Thursday.
— Sam Warren (@samwarren83) November 5, 2026
WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. was limited with a back injury. pic.twitter.com/UMdzDuVOjE
McCaffrey picked up the injury in San Francisco’s lone loss of the season against the Falcons. Even while dealing with it, he still managed 100 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown on 13 touches, playing 52 percent of the 49ers’ offensive snaps.
Friday’s practice and the final injury report will go a long way toward determining whether he carries an injury designation into the game.
That matters even more with the 49ers dealing with issues at wide receiver. McCaffrey’s value out of the backfield, especially his ability to create yards after the catch, becomes even more important if the offense is short-handed.
The injury picture around the 49ers remained crowded Thursday. Christian Kirk did not practice because of a knee injury, while Mike Evans (ribs/Achilles) and Deebo Samuel (hamstring) were also sidelined.
San Francisco, sitting at 6-1, hosts the 4-4 Raiders at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m.
PT (4:25 p.m. ET).
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