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Christian McCaffrey’s week away from practice has created two very different stories around the San Francisco 49ers. The team says the veteran running back is dealing with muscle tightness and is being handled carefully; however, his contract suddenly looks less impressive after two young stars reset the RB market. Some around the league are wondering if there is another player in his absence. Chris Simms is not saying the contract situation is the whole story. He is suggesting it could be part of the picture, especially considering the timing of McCaffrey’s sudden absence. Chris Simms Raises Christian McCaffrey Contract Questions With 49ers Speaking on Pro Football Talk, Simms said that he would not be surprised if McCaffrey is dealing with a legitimate physical issue while also applying some pressure behind the scenes for better financial security. “Just from knowing everybody in this situation, I would not be shocked that there’s a little muscle tightness and they’re being careful with that and there’s a little bit of the push and tug with the contract as well.” Chris Simms on Christian McCaffrey’s tightness: “Just from knowing everybody in this situation, I would not be shocked that there’s a little muscle tightness and they’re being careful with that and there’s a little bit of the push and tug with the contract as well.” 🎥:… pic.twitter.com/M4G5Ij92Ay — Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) August 19, 2026 That distinction matters. McCaffrey does not necessarily have to be staging an injury for the contract situation to influence how the 49ers handle him. The 30-year-old has already carried a massive workload and has plenty of reasons to avoid unnecessary August reps. McCaffrey touched the ball 413 times in 2025, leading the league, while his current deal averages $19 million per year. That number looked enormous when he signed his extension in 2024. It does not look quite as impressive now. Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs recently landed deals averaging $22.5 million annually, pushing McCaffrey down the running back salary rankings despite his continued importance to the Niners. That is where the timing becomes interesting. McCaffrey stopped practicing shortly after those contracts were completed. He has now missed roughly a week, with the team continuing to describe the issue only as “tightness.” The 49ers, however, have consistently pushed back on the contract theory. Kyle Shanahan said his concern was actually the opposite: McCaffrey trying to fight through the tightness and turning a manageable issue into something much worse. That explanation also fits McCaffrey’s injury history. He has missed many times during several seasons, and San Francisco has little reason to push its offensive centerpiece through unnecessary practice reps in August. Still, ESPN’s Adam Schefter has since poured cold water on the idea that McCaffrey is holding out for a new deal. He reported that the absence is related to muscle tightness and that there is currently no new contract coming. That does not make Simms’ theory impossible, but leaves the 49ers with two things to manage at once: McCaffrey’s health and the reality that the league’s running back market has moved beyond his current deal. For now, the Niners appear comfortable waiting, and if McCaffrey is truly healthy enough to play when Week 1 arrives, they may not care how much speculation surrounds his August absence. Related reading: WATCH: Saints Player Pulls Off Wild German Suplex on Cowboys Player During Practice Brawl Keith Carter’s Tough-Love Approach Is Already Changing the Vikings’ Offensive Line