San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey continues to deal with minor muscle tightness. The injury has kept McCaffrey out of recent practices with the 49ers, who had a joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday, Aug. 18. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that tightness is what has kept the star player out of practice, while ruling out the possibility of McCaffrey missing practice due to a contract dispute. "I think if it wasn't Christian and we were in a game week, I think he would play today," Shanahan said. The coach has said the 49ers don't want to rush McCaffrey back to avoid a significant, long-term injury.
McCaffrey will make $12.5 million this season, but the muscle tightness came along days after Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs helped reset the market for running backs this month. Gibbs signed a three-year contract extension worth $67.5 million with the Detroit Lions. Robinson signed a three-year contract extension worth $66.75 million with the Atlanta Falcons. McCaffrey played in every game with San Francisco last season and led the NFL in touches (413) and finished second, behind Robinson, in yards from scrimmage (2,126). The 49ers will kick off their regular season in the NFL's Australia game Thursday, Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Rams. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Christian McCaffrey injury update: Shanahan explains why RB's missing practice