Christian McCaffrey Camp Update — August 23: Two Weeks Out While Backups Audition

Christian McCaffrey went a second straight week without a practice — nothing since August 8 — and Kyle Shanahan spent Tuesday insisting the situation is smaller than it looks. On the theory that the absence is about his contract: "I think people make a lot of assumptions, and that would be one that they're wrong on." On the severity: "I think if it wasn't Christian, and we were in a game week, I think he would play today." Both per David Bonilla at 49ers Webzone. He sat the joint practice with the Chargers, Thursday's game, and Saturday's session.

While he watched, the backfield behind him held open tryouts. Rookie Kaelon Black made his professional debut Thursday and ran eight times for 33 yards in the first quarter alone — "I was real happy with him... He ran real physical," per Kirk Larrabee at 49ers Webzone — after returning from an adductor injury earlier in the week. Sincere McCormick answered in the same game with a 37-yard run and a seven-yard touchdown, per Brooke Evans at 49ers.com. And Jordan James returned to practice Saturday from a rib fracture, splitting carries with Black, per Bonilla. Casey Lima at 49ers Webzone framed the game as Black's chance at the number-two job; nobody has reported it won.

Back in June the preview's stated worry on a year-nine back was the veteran who falls off with no warning, and tightness managed this carefully for this long is that worry speaking in August's voice — even with Shanahan's game-week assurance on the record. What to watch: whether McCaffrey practices before Thursday's finale in Las Vegas, and how the September 10 opener in Melbourne shapes the caution either way. We'll check after cut day.

_Data via nflverse._