McCaffrey Returns To Practice As Bears Await Gordon Update

Christian McCaffrey practiced with the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, running through team drills and cutting explosively after missing more than two weeks of training camp with what the team described as general tightness. Meanwhile, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles said he remains uncertain when cornerback Kyler Gordon will return from a lingering calf injury that has sidelined him throughout the offseason.

McCaffrey's absence had raised questions about whether his issue was connected to the Achilles tendinitis that limited him for most of the 2024 season, though the team has not confirmed a direct link. His return to full practice is a positive sign as the 49ers prepare to open the season against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia. Last season, McCaffrey carried a career-high workload of 413 total touches, rushing for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns on 311 carries while adding 102 receptions for 924 yards and seven more scores. San Francisco has bolstered its offense with the additions of Mike Evans and rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, giving quarterback Brock Purdy a deeper set of weapons alongside a healthy McCaffrey heading into a competitive NFC West. bet on floorball

In Chicago, Gordon's situation remains unresolved. The cornerback signed a three-year, $40 million extension in April 2025 but has played in just five games since, missing the entire offseason program while recovering from his calf injury. "I don't know. I would hope so," Poles told reporters Tuesday when asked if Gordon would play for the Bears in 2026. "I still have hope there. He's going to have to continue to work hard and get back to playing." Poles said Gordon is working with team trainers and outside medical personnel but acknowledged the recovery has been slower than expected. "We haven't been able to get over that hump, and we're not progressing as fast as we would like," he said. Alongside the update, Chicago placed safety Coby Bryant and tight end Hayden Large on injured reserve - both eligible for later return - and signed defensive tackle James Lynch and linebacker Jack Sanborn to the active roster.

Elsewhere, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. returned to practice Tuesday after a back injury but would not commit to playing in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 13 without a new contract. "I don't know. I've got to talk to the front office and my agents about that one," said Porter, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. General manager Omar Khan said Monday the team hopes to keep Porter long-term, though Pittsburgh's policy is to halt contract talks once the regular season begins. In New England, running back TreVeyon Henderson returned to practice Tuesday but has not been cleared for full participation as he continues rehabbing a right ankle injury sustained in training camp, according to ESPN. Henderson rushed for 911 yards and nine touchdowns on 180 carries as a rookie last season, adding 35 catches for 221 yards and a receiving touchdown. Should he remain unavailable for the Sept. opener against the Seattle Seahawks, Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to carry a heavier workload out of the backfield.