Christian McCaffrey injury: Jordan Mason shines in his first start as star RB misses game against Jets
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason had a standout performance in his inaugural NFL start, impressing viewers on Monday night.
Mason delivered his best performance to date, accumulating a career-high 28 carries for an impressive 147 yards and one touchdown, guiding the 49ers to a 32-19 win over the New York Jets.
He began the game strong, effectively executing zone runs, and surpassed his previous single-game rushing record of 69 yards by halftime, finishing the half with 74 yards.
The undrafted running back from Georgia Tech embraced his mother after the game, receiving congratulations from teammates for his contributions. His efforts were crucial for the 49ers as they faced a tough Jets defense to kick off their season.
“Jordan Mason did a great job stepping in,” commented 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. “Of course, Christian (McCaffrey) is unparalleled as a running back. I don’t mean to downplay that. But Jordan really filled his role well, allowing other players to be open and helping us execute our game plan.”
Mason’s opportunity to start came after star running back Christian McCaffrey was unexpectedly declared inactive due to injuries to his calf and Achilles before the game against the Jets.
McCaffrey was initially marked as “questionable” on the injury report and has been dealing with a calf issue since August. Many expected the 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year to be on the field for the highly anticipated season opener against Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.
In his time with the 49ers, McCaffrey has amassed 2,205 rushing yards, 20 rushing touchdowns, 1,028 receiving yards, and 11 receiving touchdowns across 27 regular-season games. The 49ers brought McCaffrey on board through a major trade with the Carolina Panthers in 2022.
The 49ers will benefit from having McCaffrey healthy this season as they aim for a return to the Super Bowl, but Mason’s performance showcased another valuable asset on their offense.
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