The San Francisco 49ers delivered an impressive performance on Monday night, dominating both offensively and defensively to secure a victory against a strong AFC contender, the New York Jets. The Jets, a team some see as a dark horse for a deep playoff run, were no match for the Niners despite the absence of one of the league’s most dynamic players—Christian McCaffrey.
McCaffrey, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year and a top pick in nearly every 2024 fantasy draft, was sidelined for the game. However, the 49ers’ rushing attack didn’t miss a beat, thanks to third-year backup Jordan Mason. Mason filled in admirably, rushing for 147 yards and a touchdown, averaging an impressive 5.3 yards per carry.
The debate remains whether Mason’s standout performance was a testament to his own skill or a reflection of the 49ers’ potent offensive scheme under head coach Kyle Shanahan. With All-Pro tackle Trent Williams anchoring the offensive line, Shanahan’s system has long been known to turn any capable running back into a star. Regardless, Mason’s performance earned plenty of praise.
While the 49ers showed they can survive without McCaffrey, his absence is still significant. The versatile three-time First-Team All-Pro is a game-changing presence, contributing both in the run and pass game in ways few others can. The team was understandably concerned when initial reports suggested McCaffrey could miss more time than expected due to his injury.
However, there’s good news for 49ers fans. According to Underdog NFL, McCaffrey was spotted practicing on Thursday, signaling a potential return as soon as Week 2. While practice doesn’t guarantee game action, head coach Kyle Shanahan offered further optimism, stating that McCaffrey would have likely played if it had been a playoff game, implying the injury was manageable.
The threat of a more serious issue, like an Achilles injury, had loomed over McCaffrey’s absence, but the fact that he’s practicing and moving well is encouraging. ESPN’s Nick Wagoner shared uplifting comments from McCaffrey himself, who is determined to play. “My mentality is I’m playing this week,” McCaffrey said. “That’s how I approach every week. I think as soon as a player says, maybe I’ll play, maybe I won’t, that’s not a good mentality. For me, I’m ready to go.”
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Despite McCaffrey’s optimism, the 49ers might still exercise caution. Even if he’s around 80-85% fit, it’s unlikely the team will risk aggravating his injury in their Week 2 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, where the Niners are favored by five points. With Jordan Mason proving he can handle the load, the team may opt to give McCaffrey more time to fully recover.
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