49ers get eye-popping good news on Christian McCaffrey — but there’s a catch

Christian McCaffrey is trending in the right direction and nearing a return to practice. The San Francisco 49ers star running back would have practiced Tuesday if it weren’t a joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers are not operating under the impression McCaffrey’s missed practice time has any ties to wanting a new contract. 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey would have practiced Tuesday, had it not been a joint practice with the Chargers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect “I think people make a lot of assumptions. That would be one that they’re wrong on,” Shanahan said. “I think if it wasn’t Christian and we were in a game week, I think he would play today. … Just some tightness. They get sensitive if I say where.” There was specu