There were two glaring absences for the San Francisco 49ers on Monday when they opened their first game week of the preseason.
Defensive end Nick Bosa missed his fourth consecutive session with what the team is classifying as “soreness,” while running back Christian McCaffrey was absent with “tightness” according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco.
Bosa hadn’t participated in team drills while recovering from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 3 of last season. Any extended absence will raise a massive red flag, even if the 49ers haven’t divulged exactly what the nature of the injury is.
The McCaffrey issue is new, although it’s worth noting that Monday’s practice is the first one the 30-year-old RB has missed in this year’s camp. Given McCaffrey’s importance to the 49ers it’s not a huge surprise they’d be cautious with any issue he’s having. Even general tightness isn’t worth pushing on Aug. 10 with a joint practice against the Tennessee Titans looming Tuesday. It’s unclear whether McCaffrey will be ready in time to participate in that joint session.
For now there’s nothing to indicate Bosa and McCaffrey will be out for any prolonged period, but those are two of the 49ers’ most essential players so any time they’re out is worth keeping a close eye on. Especially as the calendar ticks to within a month of their regular season opener on Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Rams.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Two 49ers superstars absent to begin first preseason game week
Reporting by Kyle Madson, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
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By Kyle Madson, Niners Wire | USA TODAY Network
