Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle provide 'energy' in return to 49ers practice

SANTA CLARA — Tight end George Kittle was not the only star offensive player who returned to the 49ers’ practice field on Sunday.Running back Christian McCaffrey, who had not practiced since Aug. 8 due to unspecified tightness, took part in 11-on-11 work. He took a handful of handoffs and got out of the backfield to run some routes, too. Another welcomed sight pic.twitter.com/LDMtaFdUAE — 49ers on NBCS (&commat;NBCS49ers) August 23, 2026 Last week, Pro Football Talk reported there was speculation in league circles that McCaffrey might be conducting a “hold in” as a way to leverage for a better contract. McCaffrey said his absence from practice was planned as a way to build for the rigors of the NFL regular season. “Obviously, when you don’t practice, the way the media works now is, (it’s a) firestorm,” McCaffrey said. “But this was kind of part of the plan from the job, to ramp up pretty big, get nine, 10 practices in. Then, come back down and then ramp back up so we’re fresh for the duration.” As the 49ers took the field on Sunday, the team announced Kittle was activated off the physically unable to perform list. “It definitely gives us energy,” 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said. “It changes things. We have Hall of Fame caliber players back out there.” He's baaaack pic.twitter.com/oSwmAHRBLL — 49ers on NBCS (&commat;NBCS49ers) August 23, 2026 Kittle took part in individual drives early in practice, and ran some routes without the defense on the field. He did not take part in team drills. Kittle is making an accelerated return, as he was cleared to practice just seven months and 9 days after undergoing surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon.Warner all over the placeToward the end of practice, and shortly after Deebo Samuel caught a pass across the middle against him, 49ers linebacker Fred Warner sought out quarterback Purdy. Warner left the sideline area where all the other defensive players were standing so he could have a chat with Purdy. It was clear Warner wanted to talk about some of the previous plays in practice, and who better to quiz than the quarterback he was going up against? It was an active day for Warner, who barely missed getting a hand on a Purdy pass he layered to Mike Evans over the middle. Later, Warner broke up a pass for Evans. Warner also broke up a pass for running back Kaelon Black — and nearly took the rookie’s head off in the process. Warner made another impressive play when he made a diving pass breakup on a Purdy throw intended for DeMarcus Robinson.Offensive play of the dayOf course, there is no tackling during practice, so running plays generally do not get top-billing for being notable during an NFL training camp. But when McCaffrey touches the ball, all that goes out the window. McCaffrey had three touches during a five-play sequence, including a play in which he took a handoff over the left side, then cut back to the right sideline and scampered untouched down the sideline. For a player who has been out of action for a while, McCaffrey’s return to the field was a welcomed sight for the 49ers.Defensive play of the dayVeteran safety Ashtyn Davis is in a battle to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. In all likelihood, special teams will determine his fate. But he showed up on defense, too. Davis made a well-timed break to step in front of Mac Jones’ intermediate pass over the middle for Jacob Cowing. Then, Davis brought it back the other for a long return. Davis is a veteran of six NFL seasons. He appeared in 84 games with 34 starts in his career, mostly with the New York Jets. Davis has nine career interceptions.This ’n’ that—Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling returned to practice wearing no-contact jerseys just one day after both sat out with minor shoulder injuries. —Toward the end of practice, Evans was seen taking his pads off. He appeared to be frustrated with a possible injury, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan observed. —Kubiak intimated that offensive lineman Austen Pleasants should not be out too long with a knee injury. The competition at left guard continues with Carver Willis and Connor Colby while Pleasants and Robert Jones are sidelined. —Linebacker Dre Greenlaw made an eye-popping play with a leaping pass deflection on a Purdy throw intended for Evans. —Three players had a chance at a Jones pass, but none ended up with the football. Cornerback Ephesians Prysock got his hand on the ball as receiver Malik Turner nearly made the catch. Then, the deflected pass zipped past Larry Worth III before it hit the ground for an incomplete pass. —Later, Prysock had good defense on a deep pass in the end zone, which Jones intended for Cowing. —Receiver Jordan Watkins caught a deep pass from Purdy for an 80-yard touchdown down the middle of the field to take advantage of a blown coverage. There was no defender anywhere near him when he caught the pass. —Cornerback Jack Jones continued to get first-team snaps while Renardo Green is sidelined with a hamstring injury. —Nickel back Upton Stout had an easy interception against Purdy on a pass in which it appeared there was a miscommunication with Stribling on an in-breaking route. —Stribling caught a deep out from Purdy against solid coverage from Jack Jones. —Rookie defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. had a sack with pressure up the middle against Purdy. —Running back Kaelon Black is making his presence felt since returning to the practice field. On Sunday, even one of his teammates felt him. Center Jake Brendel was blocking downfield, and Black leveled him as he ran into his back. Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast

Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle provide ‘energy’ in return to 49ers practice

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