SANTA CLARA — Christian McCaffrey returned from a one-day hiatus and showed no hindrance of a knee issue as the 49ers practiced Thursday in a rare rainstorm.
“Everything’s full speed. I feel great,” McCaffrey said. “I had some knee irritation (Sunday), and that was pretty much it. I was checking all the boxes, making sure everything was good and that I might have dodged a bullet.”
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel did not practice because of a quadriceps contusion in Sunday’s 13-0 win over the New Orleans Saints. He was listed as being limited in Wednesday’s practice, from which he appeared to exit with McCaffrey after the initial, walk-through session.
Samuel is the 49ers’ second-leading receiver (44 catches, 76 targets, 511 yards, two touchdowns) behind Brandon Aiyuk (51-74-652-6).
#49ers practice is underway in rain:
*Christian McCaffrey is participating, knee ok
*Deebo Samuel not seen
*DE Omenihu, G Burford return
*DL Arik Armstead practicing, 3rd in a row
*QB Jimmy Garoppolo no issues & no rain gloves
*Last rain practice: first day of pads at camp pic.twitter.com/f1G7UQnUun— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 1, 2022
Like McCaffrey, defensive end Charles Omenihu also was back after taking Wednesday off because of a sore knee, and although right guard Spencer Burford returned, the rookie offensive lineman had trouble putting his full weight on his sprained right ankle. All three were limited.
Defensive tackle Arik Armstead, after participating in his third straight practice, told reporters he expects to play Sunday and end his seven-game absence, caused by a stress fracture in his lower leg and plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Jimmy Garoppolo again appeared a full participant despite enduring a hit to his surgically repaired left knee Sunday.
As practice got underway at 1 p.m., rain fell on the 49ers amid 50-degree weather, which is what they could face in Sunday’s home game against the Miami Dolphins at Levi’s Stadium (1:05 p.m.).
The Dolphins practiced a second straight day without their starting offensive tackles, Terron Armstead (toe/pectoral) and Austin Jackson (ankle). Running back Raheem Mostert (knee) was among those limited.
