Home / Sports / McCaffrey's Absence: Contract or Tightness?
McCaffrey's Absence: Contract or Tightness?
18 Aug
Summary
- Christian McCaffrey's practice absence sparks contract speculation.
- Reports confirm McCaffrey is dealing with actual tightness.
- 49ers cautiously manage McCaffrey's workload due to injury history.
Speculation surrounding Christian McCaffrey's absence from San Francisco 49ers practice has arisen, with some pondering if it's a contract-related hold-in. This comes amid reports of running backs like Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson securing lucrative deals averaging over $22 million annually. McCaffrey, who led the NFL in touches last season, is currently operating under a contract with no guaranteed money and an average of $19 million per year.
Contrary to hold-in theories, NFL Media reported that McCaffrey is actually sidelined due to tightness. Initial contract discussions between the 49ers and their star running back reportedly did not progress significantly earlier in the offseason. The team is exercising extra caution with McCaffrey due to his crucial role, acknowledging his desire for a better contract.
However, the 49ers must remain mindful of McCaffrey's history. Entering his age 30 season, he has previously missed significant portions of the year after leading the league in touches. He played only seven combined games across two seasons following two previous instances of leading the NFL in carries. It is anticipated that McCaffrey might miss most of the remaining preseason, preparing for the team's September 10th season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia, likely without a new contract.
