The San Francisco 49ers are aiming for a big campaign in the 2026-27 NFL season, and the organization received great news as Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle returned to the field in what turned out to be a fantastic practice session.
The squad had been awaiting the practice return of star playmakers Kittle and McCaffrey. As both players rejoined the 49ers’ practice on Sunday, it led to what reporter David Lombardi called the best practice session of training camp. Lombardi took to social media to state that Sunday featured high intensity in every aspect, noting how Kittle and McCaffrey “fueled it.”
“Best 49ers’ practice of training camp and effectively the last one since we almost certainly won’t see 1-on-1s anymore and Tuesday’s session will be well into ‘dress rehearsal’ week,” Lombardi wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “But true intensity both ways — Kittle and CMC returns fueled it — with big plays and yelling back and forth.”
What they did in training
In terms of usage for both stars, the star tight end did not take part in team drills, but the running back did, according to Jennifer Lee Chan. “Very spirited 49ers practice on Sunday,” Lee Chan wrote. “While George Kittle did not participate in team drills, Christian McCaffrey did.”
George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers
Great atmosphere surrounds the 49ers
What became the top workout of the offseason generated significant chatter across social media, highlighting a strong environment across the roster that could prove key for the NFL season.
Reporter Cam Inman noted that the practice was “entertaining,” citing major highlights like quarterback Brock Purdy taunting linebacker Fred Warner following a completion.
“Entertaining 49ers practice: *McCaffrey 4 carries (3 in 5-snap span)… *Purdy taunts Warner after completion to Deebo… *Warner earlier clobbered Black on PBU… *Mike Evans left, seems precautionary again… *[DeZhaun] Stribling, [Deommodore] Lenoir no-contact participants… *[Upton] Stout INT BP… *No [Nick] Bosa, Height,” Inman wrote.
While Kittle has been progressing after tearing his Achilles in January, McCaffrey has been dealing with leg tightness. It remains to be seen when both Kittle and McCaffrey will return fully and be ready for San Francisco when the squad opens the season on Sept. 10 against the Rams.
