Christian McCaffrey was back on the practice field Sunday, and the 49ers got more than just their star running back back in the mix. They also got a glimpse of a player clearly leaning into the moment, from the work on the field to the tribute he wore for Roger Craig.
McCaffrey showed up to speak with reporters in a shirt featuring Craig’s No. 30, a nod to the former 49ers great after his recent induction into the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame. Craig, who won three Super Bowls with San Francisco in the mid-to-late 1980s, was a central piece of the offense during the Joe Montana era.
The connection between the two backs goes beyond the jersey. Craig was the first running back in NFL history to reach at least 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same career, and McCaffrey has also joined that “elusive club,” as David Lombardi noted.
“Christian McCaffrey honors Roger Craig's Hall of Fame induction with his shirt - two of the three members in the ultra-exclusive 1,000-1,000 club,” Lombardi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
McCaffrey’s return came after about three weeks away from practice because of leg tightness, a stretch that had some fans bracing for a bigger issue. Instead, McCaffrey said the absence was planned and that the goal was to be ready when it matters most.
“Obviously when you don't practice, the way the media works now, it's a firestorm,” McCaffrey said, via Nick Wagoner. “But this was kind of part of the plan from the jump was to ramp up pretty big, get nine, 10 practices in, kind of come back down and then ramp back up so we're fresh for the duration… And again, I feel great. I feel fresh, and it's good to be back out there.”
“It’s about being fresh for the duration. 17 Sundays,” McCaffrey continued, per Vic Tafur.
Christian McCaffrey honors Roger Craig's Hall of Fame induction with his shirt — two of the three members in the ultra-exclusive 1,000-1,000 club pic.twitter.com/3jAOoFGZM1
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 23, 2026
The 49ers also had tight end George Kittle back at practice, and the group’s work helped fuel what David Lombardi called the best practice of training camp on Sunday.
McCaffrey now appears set for San Francisco’s Week 1 game on Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
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