49ers no longer have to panic about Christian McCaffrey's whereabouts

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) / Thearon W. Henderson/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

According to a report from Eric Branch, Christian McCaffrey will be in attendance for mandatory minicamp after skipping OTAs.

The San Francisco 49ers expected not to have star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in attendance at voluntary organized team activities. After all, Aiyuk is staying away from the facility as he awaits a new contract extension.

But the Niners probably weren't anticipating superstar running back Christian McCaffrey skipping OTAs.

The exact reasons why McCaffrey's absence aren't quite known yet, and even San Francisco's coaches provided little answer. Was it because of a contract dispute? McCaffrey is currently the league's highest-paid running back, but after securing the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year award last season, perhaps he feels he deserves more.

Or was it something else?

We might know soon, however, as McCaffrey is apparently coming back to the facility just in time for mandatory minicamp.

Report: Christian McCaffrey will attend 49ers mandatory minicamp

It's important to note OTAs are voluntary.

Mandatory minicamp, which runs from June 4 through June 6, is not.

There was some speculation about whether or not McCaffrey would attend this session. However, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, the All-Pro running back will be in attendance for this three-day period:

Related story: Will 49ers star player (not the one you think) attend mandatory minicamp?

McCaffrey led the NFL with 2,023 all-purpose yards last season, so it's possible he merely wanted a bit of a break from the offseason grind after contributing so much to the 49ers offense last season.

That said, more will likely be revealed when head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks with the media following the opening day of practice on Tuesday.

At least for now, though, McCaffrey's absence won't carry over any longer, easing both concerns and tensions regarding his whereabouts.

Read more from Niner Noise