The San Francisco 49ers’ season has been plagued by inconsistency, and their latest setback was a 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7. With the defeat, the team fell to 3-4 on the season, and for the seventh time in 2024, they failed to win consecutive games.
The absence of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who’s battling an Achilles injury, has undoubtedly been a significant blow to the team’s offense. While McCaffrey is expected to make his return in early November, his prolonged absence has forced the 49ers to rely on backup running back Jordan Mason.
Mason, a 25-year-old undrafted player from Georgia Tech, has admirably filled in for McCaffrey, playing in all seven games this season and starting six. His impressive performance has led to a total of 667 rushing yards and three touchdowns, with an additional 10 catches for 86 yards. Mason’s contributions have been crucial, but he’s not immune to injury himself. A Week 6 clash against the Seattle Seahawks saw him suffer an AC joint sprain, limiting his effectiveness and forcing backup Isaac Guerendo to take on a more significant role.
In a surprising turn of events, Rapoport of the NFL Network expects Mason to play against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8, despite being limited in practice earlier this week. While his involvement in the game is uncertain, one possible scenario is that he could be used sparingly to avoid exacerbating his injury. This could be the final start for Mason, at least for the time being, as the team prepares for its next opponent.
The 49ers await the possible return of McCaffrey, who would undoubtedly provide a significant boost to the team’s offense. For now, they’ll have to navigate their next few weeks without their star running back, relying on Mason and other players to pick up the slack. As the team looks to right its season, Week 8 against the Cowboys will be a crucial test of their mettle.
