With Christian McCaffrey out, Jordan Mason was a revelation. He has been one of the best running backs in the NFL.
Can the San Francisco 49ers get similar production from their third running back on the depth chart? They had to wonder for a while Thursday night.
Mason got off to a good start Thursday night when he was tackled and immediately grabbed in the shoulder area in a game against the Seattle Seahawks. He remained down for a time while athletic trainers tended to him. Mason returned to the locker room and the 49ers said it was questionable whether he would return with a shoulder injury.
The good news was that Mason returned for the second half, although he went to the bench after just one carry and was moving his injured arm to get loose. Isaac Guerendo came in when Mason exited, and Patrick Taylor Jr. came in on the 49ers’ first drive of the second half when Guerendo needed a break. Mason did not return for the rest of that trip after making just one play.
Mason’s injury was concerning for the 49ers because they already missed McCaffrey. Not many teams have a rock-solid third running back option on the roster, although the 49ers’ scheme seems to make everyone better. Rookie Guerendo is behind Mason on the depth chart. He’s an athletic fourth-round pick, but he had just 41 career yards before Thursday. Taylor is behind Guerendo. He hadn’t had a carry all season before Thursday. Deebo Samuel Sr. also participates at running back, but the 49ers wouldn’t want to make him a full-time running back.
The 49ers may have missed McCaffrey in some ways, but Mason had replaced most of their production. He was second in the NFL in rushing yards behind only Derrick Henry after five weeks. Mason had 536 yards, more than 100 yards more than any running back except Henry.
McCaffrey has been out of every game this season due to a calf and Achilles injury. He’s supposed to return at some point this season. The 49ers will hope Mason’s injury isn’t a concern before McCaffrey can return.