Why are 49ers canceling joint practice with Saints? San Francisco's decision explained

The San Francisco 49ers have canceled their scheduled combined practices with the New Orleans Saints in Irvine this week, citing injuries on the squad. ESPN's Nick Wagoner reported that there is concern that the 49ers won't have the personnel to complete the exercises properly.

The week before they face the 49ers in Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium, the Saints were supposed to have combined practices with them in Irvine. The Niners’ decision to cancel its sessions with the Saints, scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Irvine, California, was motivated by injuries.

However, the 49ers will continue to practice in Santa Clara the week before their Sunday preseason matchup with the Saints.

Head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, Kyle Shanahan, recently made reference to the team's extensive injury list when he said that 23 players were absent from the team's latest practice for different reasons. Cornerback Ambry Thomas broke his arm on Saturday, which was the 49ers' most recent major injury.

The 49ers will begin practice on Monday, although it will start at a later time than their customary 10:25 a.m.

Christian McCaffrey's injury status: Latest on the 49ers' RB?

Star running back Christian McCaffrey is one of the players currently battling injury problems for the San Francisco 49ers. McCaffrey sprained his right calf during a training camp drill last Sunday.

McCaffrey recently provided an optimistic report regarding his calf issue, which prevented him from participating this past week.

"Yeah, I feel great," McCaffrey said to SiriusXM NFL Radio. "Very cautionary stuff. If we had a game, I would play, but just trying to be smart right now. But still training, still getting a bunch of work in, so that come Week 1, we're ready to roll."

McCaffrey is still expected to miss the entire preseason and perhaps a couple of weeks of practice, according to Kyle Shanahan.

The Niners will host the New York Jets for their regular season opener on Monday, September 9. The team hopes to have McCaffrey fit and ready for the season opener against the Jets, who will try to make the playoffs in 2024.

McCaffrey won the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year in the 2023 season after finishing with a league-high 2,023 yards and 21 touchdowns.