49ers’ Christian McCaffrey honors Roger Craig in triumphant return to practice after media ‘firestorm’

As San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey returned to practice, along with tight end George Kittle, the running back is ready to once again record a productive season in 2026. While McCaffrey helped the 49ers spark the best practice of training camp, as said by David Lombardi on Sunday, he would also represent former player Roger Craig.

When speaking to the media on Sunday, McCaffrey was seen wearing a shirt with Craig’s No. 30, as the legendary running back was recently inducted into the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame. Craig won three Super Bowls with San Francisco throughout the mid-to-late 1980s, being a crucial part of the team’s offense, led by quarterback Joe Montana.

Craig was the first running back in NFL history to record at least 1,000 rushing and 1000 receiveing yards, with McCaffrey also joining him in that “elusive club,” as Lombard writes.

“Christian McCaffrey honors Roger Craig’s Hall of Fame induction with his shirt — two of the three members in the ultra-exclusive 1,000-1,000 club,” Lombardi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Christian McCaffrey honors Roger Craig's Hall of Fame induction with his shirt — two of the three members in the ultra-exclusive 1,000-1,000 club pic.twitter.com/3jAOoFGZM1

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 23, 2026

49ers’ Christian McCaffrey speaks on missed practice time

Regarding McCaffrey, he has missed about three weeks of practice with the 49ers with leg tightness, and while some fans were worried that another significant injury could be at hand for the running back, he would say that “this was kind of part of the plan.” McCaffrey would emphasize that he feels “great” and the goal is to be fresh for the “17 Sundays” upcoming.

“Obviously when you don’t practice, the way the media works now, it’s a firestorm,” McCaffrey said, via Nick Wagoner. “But this was kind of part of the plan from the jump was to ramp up pretty big, get nine, 10 practices in, kind of come back down and then ramp back up so we’re fresh for the duration… And again, I feel great. I feel fresh, and it’s good to be back out there.”

“It’s about being fresh for the duration. 17 Sundays,” McCaffrey continued, per Vic Tafur.

McCaffrey looks to be ready to go for San Francisco’s Week 1 contest on Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

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