Christian McCaffrey is the biggest name on a long list of San Francisco 49ers training camp absentees.The star running back is dealing with ‘tightness’ that has sidelined him from a week of practice, alongside plenty of others.McCaffrey hasn’t practised for a week, and has been sidelined with ‘tightness’GettyHe was still listed on the injury report over the weekend, ahead of an off day for the Niners as they traveled to Southern California for a joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday.The team has not provided specific details on where McCaffrey‘s tightness is, and that has led to some speculation in league circles, with insiders suggesting he could be holding out for a new contract.Insiders speculate over ‘quiet’ Christian McCaffrey hold-inMike Florio discussed that idea with analyst Chris Simms on the most recent episode of Pro Football Talk Live.He noted the timing of McCaffrey’s injury is interesting, given running backs Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs have signed new deals in recent days.NFL Weekly Newsletter - SIGN UP!talkSPORT is your home for NFL in the UK as we launch our biggest year of coverage yet!2026 promises to be an epic year for NFL on talkSPORT – and we want you to join us for the ride.MORE INFO & SIGN-UP HERE!This season will be our biggest ever with live commentary of 90+ games, including behind-the-scenes access to international games and all three London fixtures, plus bumper coverage of Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium.Exclusive interviews, hard-hitting opinion, latest front-office drama and top breaking news – all delivered straight to your inbox each week.The 30-year-old’s $19 million per year average now ranks fifth amongst his position, according to OverTheCap, and he remains one of talkSPORT’s top-ranked RBs heading into 2026.“It may not be anything that Christian McCaffrey is ever going to wear on his sleeve, but people are starting to wonder if it’s a hold-in,” Florio said Monday.“The tightness happens just days after Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs blow up the running market. McCaffrey is in the next to last year of his contract… None of it is guaranteed.“It could be that he’s taking a stand, quietly, to get more money, without it being obvious.”As Florio made his point, Simms echoed his thoughts.“I’m with you, I thought the same thing,” he said.Insiders have speculated about a potential contract ‘hold-in’ for 2026Getty“I was very curious about the timing of his tightness, it does feel like, no, it’s his wallet that’s feeling the tightness… It will be interesting to see where this goes.”McCaffrey, of course, would feel he’s earned a pay rise, based on his impressive 2025 season.He started all 17 games, rushing for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns in a year that San Francisco were derailed by injuries to many of their other big names.Sitting out practice to avoid any issues heading into 2026, is perhaps smart too.Christian McCaffrey tightness ‘nothing to worry about’The suggestion of a ‘quiet’ hold-in quickly spread on social media, and apparently made it back to another respected NFL insider, Ian Rapoport.He discussed McCaffrey’s situation later Monday, and shut down any speculation of a hold-in.Rapoport has shut down the idea of a McCaffrey hold-inGetty“Let me give you the contract update here. This is not fake,” Rapoport said on NFL Network.“Actual tightness. Not fake tightness, not a hold-in. Actual tightness. It does not seem to me like anything really to worry about. I know we’ve heard that before with Christian McCaffrey.“But for real, this does not seem like anything to worry about, the timing of this. Coming right after Jahmyr Gibbs, right after Bijan Robinson got paid.“My understanding: Coincidence. Christian McCaffrey should be fine. Now, were there some initial check-ins, maybe about a contract at some point in the offseason? It sounds like maybe there was.Rapoport suggested there were potential contract talks between the Niners and McCaffrey this offseasonGetty“I don’t get the sense that went anywhere. So maybe after the season, he goes out and kills it, gets paid again. And then he vaults himself to the top of the running back market again. All possible.”McCaffrey, then, is apparently dealing with a minor issue. He’s not holding in, and he’s certainly not a worry for Week 1, according to Rapoport.By all accounts, we can expect to see him suit up for a crunch season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams next month.