CMC Injury Scare? 49ers Star Sits Practice With ‘Tightness’
49ers Preseason Practice Report: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and What It Means
Welcome to Preseason Week!
It’s Monday in Santa Clara, and the San Francisco 49ers are officially kicking off their preseason preparations. Think of preseason as the "dress rehearsal" before the real games begin—players shake off the rust, coaches test new strategies, and roster spots are won or lost.
Here’s what happened at today’s practice and what to expect this week.
This Week’s Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday | Return to practice field (today!) |
| Tuesday | Joint practice with another team |
| Thursday | First preseason game (a "glorified scrimmage") |
What’s a "glorified scrimmage"?
It’s a practice game against another team that doesn’t count toward the regular season record. Coaches use it to evaluate players in live game situations.
Running Back Room: A Major Shake-Up
The Big News: Christian McCaffrey Is Out
The 49ers’ star running back Christian McCaffrey didn’t practice Monday due to reported "tightness." Even before this, he was on a "rep count"—coach-speak for "we’re limiting how many plays he runs to keep him fresh."
The Domino Effect: Top 4 Running Backs All Sidelined
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Christian McCaffrey | Out (tightness + rep count) |
| Jordan James | Out |
| Kaelon Black | Out |
| Isaac Guerendo | Out |
Who’s Left to Carry the Ball?
With the top four backs unavailable, these players are getting valuable reps:
- Sincere McCormick
- Patrick Taylor Jr.
- Khalil Herbert
- Kyle Juszczyk (normally a fullback, but "itching to line up at running back")
Why This Matters
Preseason is when backup players prove they belong on the final 53-man roster. These reps are golden opportunities for McCormick, Taylor, and Herbert to show what they can do.
Defensive Star Nick Bosa: Soreness, Not Setback
Nick Bosa missed his fourth straight practice with "soreness." Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the concern directly:
"No [concern]. He was doing great, and then he got sore just going through some of the individual [drills]. You wish that didn’t happen, but no, there’s no concern to where something’s happened that is a big setback or anything. We’ll wait until the soreness goes away and evaluate why the soreness has happened, but I still feel pretty good about that."
Translation: The team is being cautious with their best defensive player. No structural injury—just managing soreness during ramp-up.
Wide Receiver Updates
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Mike Evans | Still out |
| Christian Kirk | Still out |
| De’Zhaun Stribling | Returned to practice |
Offensive Line Shuffle: Rookie Steps Up
Good News: Carver Willis Is Back
Rookie Carver Willis has cleared concussion protocol and returned to practice. He’s lining up at left guard with the second-team offense.
The Starting Left Guard Battle
- Robert Jones → Continuing with the starters (first team)
- Connor Colby → Demoted to second-team right guard (appears permanent, not temporary)
ELI5: What’s a "guard"?
Guards are the two offensive linemen on either side of the center. Their job: block defenders so the quarterback can throw or the running back can run. Left guard protects the quarterback’s blind side (for right-handed QBs).
What’s Next?
Klay Kubiak (offensive coordinator) is scheduled to speak after practice. Don’t expect major injury updates—coaches usually keep those close to the vest this time of year.
Key Takeaways (Important Points)
CALL OUT BOX: THE BIG PICTURE
- Preseason is for evaluation, not winning — Don’t panic about absences
- McCaffrey’s "tightness" + rep count = smart management for a 28-year-old star with high mileage
- Bosa’s soreness = routine ramp-up issue, not a new injury per Shanahan
- RB depth getting tested early — McCormick, Taylor, Herbert, and Juszczyk have a chance to shine
- O-line settling in — Jones holding starter role; Colby’s move suggests coaches have seen enough
Summary
The 49ers opened preseason practice with several key players sidelined, but nothing alarming based on coach comments. The running back room is severely depleted, creating opportunities for backups. Nick Bosa’s absence is precautionary. The offensive line picture is clarifying with Robert Jones at starting left guard. Thursday’s preseason opener will be the first real look at the 2025 roster in action.
FAQ: Your Preseason Questions Answered
Q1: Should I worry about Christian McCaffrey’s "tightness"?
A: Probably not. He was already on a planned rep count. "Tightness" in August often means the training staff is being extra careful with a high-usage player. The real season starts in September.
Q2: What’s a "joint practice"?
A: Two NFL teams practice together instead of against their own teammates. It’s more intense, competitive, and reveals more about players than regular practice. Think of it as a controlled scrimmage without full tackling.
Q3: Why is Kyle Juszczyk practicing at running back?
A: He’s a fullback (a hybrid blocker/runner), but with 4 RBs out, the team needs bodies. Juszczyk has actually carried the ball before and is a versatile chess piece for Shanahan’s offense.
Q4: Does Connor Colby’s demotion mean he’s cut?
A: Not necessarily. Second-team reps still matter. But it suggests Robert Jones has won the starting left guard job for now. Colby could still make the roster as a versatile backup.
Q5: When do the games actually count?
A: The regular season kicks off in early September. Preseason games (3 of them) don’t affect playoff standings—they’re for evaluation only.
Stay tuned for Tuesday’s joint practice report and Thursday’s preseason opener!
