With Christian McCaffrey out, Jordan Mason was a revelation. He has been one of many NFL’s greatest working backs.
Can the San Francisco 49ers get related manufacturing out of their third working again on the depth chart? They needed to marvel for some time on Thursday night time.
Mason was off to begin on Thursday night time when he was tackled and instantly grabbed at his shoulder space in a recreation towards the Seattle Seahawks. He stayed down for some time whereas athletic trainers tended to him. Mason went again to the locker room and the 49ers mentioned he was questionable to return with a shoulder harm.
The excellent news was that Mason returned for the second half, although he went to the sideline after only one carry and was transferring his injured arm to get free. Isaac Guerendo got here in when Mason exited, and Patrick Taylor Jr. got here in on the 49ers’ first drive of the second half when Guerendo wanted a relaxation. Mason did not come again for the remainder of that drive after getting in only one play. Mason did not return for the remainder of the third quarter.
Mason’s harm was worrisome for the 49ers as a result of they have been already lacking McCaffrey. Not many groups have a rock-solid third working again choice on the roster, although the 49ers’ scheme appears to make everybody higher. Rookie Guerendo is behind Mason on the depth chart. He is an athletic fourth-round decide however had simply 41 profession yards earlier than Thursday. Taylor is behind Guerendo. He hadn’t had a carry all season earlier than Thursday. Deebo Samuel Sr. additionally takes snaps at tailback, however the 49ers would not need to flip him right into a full-time tailback.
The 49ers had maybe missed McCaffrey in a couple of methods, however Mason had changed most of his manufacturing. He was second within the NFL in dashing yards to solely Derrick Henry after 5 weeks. Mason had 536 yards, greater than 100 yards greater than any again aside from Henry.
McCaffrey has been out each recreation this season resulting from a calf/Achilles harm. He is alleged to return sooner or later this season. The 49ers will hope Mason’s harm is not a priority earlier than McCaffrey can come again.