San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has expressed confidence in his recovery and overall health as he prepares for the upcoming NFL season. After dedicating significant time this offseason to rehabilitation efforts, McCaffrey says he feels well-positioned to participate fully in practices and games.
“I feel great,” McCaffrey stated.
“I think this offseason I spent a lot of time kind of building back a base starting from scratch, so a lot of it was rehab and wanted to put myself in a position where I didn’t miss a day of OTAs and I could practice and play football again, be healthy and not miss a day, and I did that.”
—Christian McCaffrey
San Francisco’s Injury Updates and Player Rehab Status
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan provided updates on several key players who are still progressing through rehab but likely won’t be ready for the start of training camp. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, safety Malik Mustapha, linebacker Curtis Robinson, and seventh-round quarterback Kurtis Rourke are all in recovery phases. Although they are making strides, they remain on an extended timeline before returning to full participation.
Meanwhile, veteran left tackle Trent Williams is considering his future in the NFL on a year-by-year basis but believes he has ample playing years remaining. Williams commented,
“I could play until I’m 41. Who knows?”
highlighting his optimism about continuing his career.
New Defensive Addition Bryce Huff Brings Speed and Intensity
The 49ers have added defensive end Bryce Huff, who Williams praised for adding a dynamic edge to the team’s pass rush. Williams described Huff’s impact as recreating a “Dee Ford effect,” referencing the former player who was a key element of the 49ers’ Super Bowl run in 2019. Williams explained,
“He’s going to bring that speed demon off the edge, that guy that it’s going to require a running back or chip opposite of Nick. I think he adds that kind of Dee Ford effect where they had in ’19 that took them to the Super Bowl. One of the reasons we had a really, really good defense for those couple years is having that guy who can actually make that quarterback step up by getting a good jump off the ball and being able to bend the edge.”
—Trent Williams
Huff reflected on his departure from Philadelphia and why San Francisco was his preferred destination afterward.
“I learned a lot about myself throughout that experience, but it just didn’t work out at the end of the day. So live and you learn. All I focus on is what I’m doing right now and being a 49er and doing everything I can to help.”
—Bryce Huff
Cardinals Coaching Staff Balances Participation and Safety During Practices
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon shared how some coaches have been actively participating in drills during practice sessions but are cautious about injury risks. Defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III, among others, has worn cleats in drills to reduce the chance of accidents. Gannon recounted his own experience as a defensive backs coach with the Colts, explaining the potential dangers of getting physically involved.
“You have L.J. Collier putting his two hands on you and getting off the ball, you can slip and go down pretty quick,”
Gannon said.
“We’ve had a couple coaches go down already which I don’t like to see. I keep telling them, ‘Get out of the drill, you’re gonna get messed up.’ I used to do that when I was a DB coach and then someone punched me in the chin and I bit my tongue and I said ‘I’m never doing that again.’”
—Jonathan Gannon
Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis also admitted to enjoying participating in drills when he was a position coach, saying,
“I felt I knew exactly the look I wanted to give them or the feel I wanted to give them.”
—Nick Rallis
Although Gannon has not forbidden coaches from joining drills, he expects his assistants will eventually opt out for their own safety. “They’ll learn, sooner or later,” Gannon added. “To each their own.” —Jonathan Gannon
Seattle Seahawks Depth and Potential Trade Discussions
According to reports from The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar, Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant could become a trade candidate later this year due to the team’s depth at the position and financial considerations. The Seahawks possess a strong roster of tight ends, making Fant’s contract a possible target for shedding salary.
Running back depth on the Seahawks is also notable, featuring Kenneth Walker, Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, and seventh-round rookie Damien Martinez. This abundance could lead to the team moving one of these running backs to address other roster needs.
As Day 4 of the Seahawks’ offseason workouts unfolded, the starting offensive line was noted to consist of left tackle Charles Cross, left guard Grey Zabel, center Olu Oluwatimi, right guard Christian Haynes, and right tackle Abraham Lucas. The second-team offensive line included left tackle Mike Jerrell, left guard Sataoa Laumea, center Jalen Sundell, right guard Anthony Bradford, and right tackle Josh Jones.
Head coach Mike Macdonald addressed Kenneth Walker’s limited participation in offseason activities, stating,
“He’s working through an ankle, but he should be fine.”
—Mike Macdonald
Summary of Key NFL Training Developments and Injuries
As teams push through offseason programs and OTAs, players like Christian McCaffrey demonstrate the importance of resilient rehabilitation and readiness entering the season. The 49ers continue managing injury recoveries while integrating new defensive assets. Meanwhile, the Cardinals coaching staff balances active participation with injury prevention in training sessions. On the Seattle front, roster depth creates both opportunities and potential trade scenarios as the team evaluates its lineup. These developments indicate a season that will require careful management of health and talent across the league.