49ers’ Christian McCaffrey still limited at joint practice with Titans as Mike Evans returns to the field

The 49ers’ injury picture offered a mixed look Tuesday at a joint practice with the Titans, with Christian McCaffrey again not practicing while Mike Evans was able to suit up for the session. The contrast matters in a training-camp week where teams are trying to finalize role clarity for the start of the regular season, particularly for positions that depend on timing and repetition.

Reporters at the practice observed that McCaffrey remained out of practice on Tuesday. The same on-site account indicates he had not yet returned to full work as the team continued managing his status. In practical terms, that can affect how the 49ers manage reps for their base run package and their pass-catching back assignments throughout the week.

The other headline from the joint session was Evans, who reportedly took part after missing the last week of practices due to a quad strain. Seeing Evans on the field is a meaningful development for offensive continuity because wide-receiver timing is built through sustained reps, especially against live coverage looks. Even if limited work remains possible, his presence indicates that his recovery has advanced enough to allow participation in at least some drills.

Joint practices with another team also function as a pressure test for game planning. For San Francisco, a practice without McCaffrey means coaches have to continue evaluating how their offense operates without one of its most dynamic touches. For the Titans, the workout provides a chance to assess defensive alignments and matchups against a veteran receiver returning from an issue, while still seeing how the 49ers adjust their personnel in real time.

Neither the report nor the on-site observations included additional details such as the severity of McCaffrey’s situation beyond him remaining out of practice, or whether Evans’ quad issue limits his workload. That uncertainty is common during camp, and it is best reflected in how quickly a player’s participation expands from day to day rather than a single session.

With the preseason portion of the calendar moving forward, the immediate watch is whether McCaffrey progresses from being sidelined to practicing later in the week, and whether Evans’ participation indicates a clean return to normal practice volume. For both teams, those day-to-day updates can shape who earns the most reps leading into the next round of roster decisions.