WEEK 1 CONFIDENCE UP

Christian McCaffrey was back on the practice field in full uniform Tuesday in Melbourne after Monday's absence created a late Week 1 concern.

With San Francisco playing the Rams Thursday, the timing matters. McCaffrey being back with the team materially lowers the possibility that Monday represented a significant setback and makes workload management the more reasonable interpretation for now. His official participation level remains the final piece we need before kickoff.

START MCCAFFREY

Keep McCaffrey in elite RB1 territory.

Monday alone is no longer enough evidence to justify a Week 1 downgrade. Unless San Francisco's official report introduces a new concern, fantasy managers should prepare to start him normally Thursday.

Christian McCaffrey — RB, San Francisco 49ers

WEEK 1 CONFIDENCE UP

This is exactly the development we needed to see.

Monday created uncertainty because McCaffrey was off to the side only days before the opener. Tuesday gave us stronger evidence: he was back in uniform and working with the team.

That doesn't guarantee a completely unrestricted workload. It does change the risk calculation.

For now, McCaffrey stays where he belongs: an elite Week 1 RB1.