McCaffrey misses 49ers practice

Star running back Christian McCaffrey

missed his first practice since joining the 49ers a month ago, the result of “knee irritation” from Sunday’s 13-0 win over the New Orleans Saints.

“He just felt something in it, some irritation,” coach Kyle Shanahan

said before Wednesday’s practice, their first session ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Dolphins.

McCaffrey has not missed a game this season, appearing in six with the Carolina Panthers and the ensuing five with the 49ers since arriving via trade. He was limited to 10 games the previous two seasons combined because of multiple injuries.

The 49ers’ backfield also will be without Elijah Mitchell due to a left knee sprain that likely will keep him out until the playoffs.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was cleared to fully participate in practice. His surgically repaired left knee was sore due to a penalized hit in Sunday’s game.

ELSEWHERE

Rams: Seven-time All-Pro defensive tackle

Aaron Donald will miss a game because of injury for the first time in his NFL career on Sunday. Donald has a high ankle sprain.

Falcons: Tight end

Kyle Pitts will miss the remainder of the season, coach Arthur Smith

said. Pitts, who has 28 receptions for 356 yards and two touchdowns this season, underwent a procedure Tuesday that Smith declined to identify. Pitts posted on his Instagram account that the procedure was to repair a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his right knee.

Ravens: QB Lamar Jackson was limited during practice because of a quad injury.

Obituary: Longtime NFL quarterback John Hadl, who starred for his hometown Kansas Jayhawks before embarking on a professional career that included six Pro Bowl appearances and an All-Pro nod, died Wednesday. He was 82. Hadl spent 11 seasons with the Chargers, taking them to three AFL title games before the merger with the NFL, before finishing his career with the Packers, Rams and Oilers.