The San Francisco 49ers’ Thursday injury report brought a few notable updates, with some key players either battling illness, returning to the field, or continuing their recovery timelines.
Let’s start with the biggest name on the list: Christian McCaffrey. The All-Pro running back was officially listed as limited in practice due to an illness.
Reporters on site noted that McCaffrey was present for the early portion of practice - the stretch and individual drills period that’s open to the media - but didn’t participate much beyond the first 10 minutes. After practice, according to reports, McCaffrey didn’t exactly look like his usual self in the locker room.
Now, it’s Thursday. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned about McCaffrey, it’s that he’s as tough and competitive as they come.
It would take more than a midweek illness to keep him off the field on game day. But the 49ers are smart - they know what he means to this offense.
If he’s not feeling 100%, there’s no need to push him in practice. He’s the engine that drives this attack, and protecting that investment is priority No.
- With his workload and importance to the offensive rhythm, preserving his health is a no-brainer, especially late in the season.
On the defensive side, there was some good news: defensive tackle Kevin Givens was back at practice after missing Wednesday due to a personal matter. Givens hasn’t played since Week 10, but his return to the field is a step in the right direction for a defensive front that’s looking to stay fresh and deep as the postseason push intensifies.
Veteran left tackle Trent Williams also returned to practice after his standard veteran rest day on Wednesday. No surprises there - the 49ers are managing his reps wisely, and the weekly routine seems to be working. Williams remains one of the most dominant linemen in the game when healthy, and keeping him fresh is vital for both the run game and pass protection down the stretch.
At quarterback, Kurtis Rourke practiced for the second straight day, continuing his return from injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed Rourke’s progress, noting that it’s simply good to have him back out there.
With Adrian Martinez not currently with the team, Rourke is getting more looks on the scout team, sharing reps with Mac Jones. This three-week stretch will be a key evaluation period for the young quarterback as the staff gets a closer look at his development.
Kicker Eddy Pineiro was also on the field again, participating for the second day in a row. While there was no specific update on his status, back-to-back practices are a positive sign for his availability moving forward.
On the injury front, a few players remained sidelined. Linebacker Tatum Bethune and edge rusher Sam Okuayinonu both missed practice again as they continue to recover from high-ankle sprains.
Those injuries are notoriously tricky, and the team appears to be taking the cautious route - which makes sense, especially with a stretch of games coming up against run-heavy opponents. Both players could be important rotational pieces in those matchups, so getting them back to full strength without rushing the process is key.
Center Nick Martin also missed practice as he remains in concussion protocol. There’s no timeline yet for his return, but as always with head injuries, the team will follow the necessary steps before clearing him.
All in all, it’s a typical December practice report - a mix of maintenance, recovery, and roster management. The 49ers are clearly focused on balancing preparation with preservation as they gear up for the final stretch of the regular season.