San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed uncertainty about why star running back Christian McCaffrey was absent at the start of the team’s OTAs.
McCaffrey did not attend the voluntary sessions on Tuesday, which left Shanahan at a loss.
Absentees from the team activities in Santa Clara also included Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, though Shanahan conveyed minimal concern about their nonattendance to reporters.
Speculation among fans suggests that McCaffrey might have skipped the workouts due to preparations for his upcoming wedding to former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo.
McCaffrey, who garnered the Offensive Player of the Year award last season, delivered an impressive performance with 272 carries for 1,459 yards and 21 touchdowns across 16 games.
Alongside quarterback Brock Purdy, he propelled the 49ers to a 12-5 season and a Super Bowl appearance, although they were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Given the optional nature of the workouts, fans should not view McCaffrey’s absence as particularly alarming. His financial situation with the team appears stable, continuing under the substantial contract initially issued by the Carolina Panthers before his 2022 trade.
The couple, who first became involved in May 2019 and got engaged in April 2023, are in the midst of wedding preparations. McCaffrey recently commended Culpo for her exceptional handling of the wedding plans, especially during the hectic Super Bowl period, praising her style and dedication to both the wedding and her own career.