San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey returned to the practice field at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, providing a notable lift to the team’s offense as preparations continue for the 2026 NFL regular-season opener.
The Sunday session marked a significant milestone for the 49ers’ roster. According to reports from the field, Kittle was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list 224 days after tearing his Achilles tendon in January. He participated in individual, one-on-one, and team drills while wearing full pads. McCaffrey also rejoined 11-on-11 work, taking handoffs and running routes after missing team sessions since Aug. 8 due to undisclosed tightness.
“It just changes things,” offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak told reporters regarding the return of the two playmakers. “You’ve got two Hall of Fame-caliber players out there who are back out there getting their work in. They practice at a high standard, and they lift everybody up. So it definitely changes your energy a little bit.”
The Recovery Timeline and Week 1 Outlook
Kittle’s return to practice in pads surprised several teammates and coaches, given the severity of an Achilles injury sustained less than nine months ago. While the tight end stopped short of full participation during Sunday’s workout, right tackle Colton McKivitz noted that his rehabilitation progress has moved faster than initially anticipated. Kittle previously expressed optimism about his chances of playing in Week 1, though team officials have not formally confirmed his game-day status.
The 49ers face a tight travel window ahead of their season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. The team is scheduled to depart for Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 2, requiring final roster adjustments and medical clearances to be completed days prior. Medical staff and coaches will monitor Kittle closely during the upcoming practices to determine whether he can manage the rigorous travel schedule and physical demands of the opener.
Addressing the Offseason Speculation
McCaffrey’s return to 11-on-11 drills—which featured a 25-yard touchdown run—helped quiet external chatter regarding his recent absence from practice. League speculation earlier in the week had questioned whether his time away from team drills was related to contract leverage, but McCaffrey clarified that his limited participation was part of a managed conditioning program designed to prepare him for the long 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.”
Coaching Staff and Roster Updates
Sunday’s practice also featured head coach Kyle Shanahan fully resuming his play-calling duties behind the huddle. Kubiak noted that Shanahan’s return to orchestrating offensive plays is the final step in his recovery following a car crash last month.
With the 53-man roster deadline approaching ahead of the international trip, the 49ers will continue their training camp installations this week. The team’s next public practice sessions will provide further clarity on whether both Kittle and McCaffrey are cleared for full contact ahead of kickoff.
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