The San Francisco 49ers have had terrible injury luck this season, which ultimately led to the end of their playoff hopes. Just a few months ago, they were in the overtime of a Super Bowl, but life comes at you fast in the NFL. What began with a Christian McCaffrey injury in the offseason spread up and down the roster. However, no position was affected as badly as the running back room for San Francisco.
After CMC, stand-in RB Jordan Mason, who exploded onto the scene in McCaffrey’s absence, also went down with an injury. Let’s examine what went wrong for Mason.
Why Isn’t Jordan Mason Playing?
San Francisco’s sublime start to the season without McCaffrey assuaged much of the fear. Then, once McCaffrey made his return, the team was expected to be lethal because of its one-two punch.
Unfortunately, a Week 13 loss proved devastating for the team as both running backs went down with injuries.
While the focus shifted to CMC and his knee injury, just four weeks after he returned from Achilles tendinitis, Mason was also banged up. After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Mason had suffered a high ankle sprain. He, too, was placed on short-term injured reserve by the team, ensuring he’d be out for the next four games at the bare minimum.
When Will Mason Return From Injury?
Typically, ankle sprains are impossible to predict. Depending on the severity, the return window can stretch anywhere between four and six weeks. However, in Mason’s case, his placement on the injured reserve list guarantees a four-week absence.
A Week 18 return is the earliest possible date for Mason to return. Still, with the 49ers out of playoff contention, they might want to play it safe with him — instead, allowing him to fully heal might be the best course of action.
Given the injury, Mason shouldn’t have any lingering concerns or effects going into the 2025 season.
Who Is the 49ers’ Starting Running Back?
For the first nine weeks of the season, Mason was out-performing even the wildest expectations placed upon him. Despite a legitimate MVP candidate in CMC missing time to begin the year, his absence was barely noticed due to Mason’s spectacular play.
The running back had the fourth-most rushing yards in the entire league when McCaffrey made his return in Week 10. Even though his role diminished in the next four games, the 49ers had a legitimate second option alongside McCaffrey.
But with both rock-toters now out, presumably for the year, the RB room is practically barren. Beyond the two, veteran Elijah Mitchell is also out for the year with a hamstring injury. Now, the primary option is fourth-round rookie Isaac Guerendo.
Beyond him, the situation gets bleak, with Patrick Taylor Jr., Israel Abanikanda, and Ke’Shawn Vaughn making up the rest of the depth chart. With the team having no marbles in the game for Week 17 and beyond, expect Guerendo to continue to be heavily involved with the offense. On the year, the rookie is good for 381 yards on 73 carries, while also scoring four touchdowns.