San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason ran all over the New York Jets on Monday, when he was brought in at the last minute to replace injured star running back Christian McCaffrey.
In the post-game media questions, Mason was left wrong-footed after he appeared to contradict the head coach on when it was known McCaffrey wouldn’t be playing.
But during the game, which the 49ers won a 32-19, Mason left no questions on whether or not he could shoulder the rushing load against one of the NFL’s stronger defenses. The Jets ranked third in defense last season, but the 49ers didn’t let the Jets look like a top-five defense on Monday night.
Besides Mason, the 49ers offense looked as dangerous as ever with eight consecutive scoring drives—albeit most were field goals. Niners kicker Jake Moody went 6/6 on field goals, including one from 53 yards.
The only other touchdown besides Mason’s came on a two-yard run by wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Niners quarterback Brock Purdy has a solid game nonetheless amid 19-29 passing for 231 yards.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked solid at times in his return from an Achilles tear last year. Rodgers went 13-21 for 167 yards and a touchdown versus an interception.
New York couldn’t get the offense going enough against the 49ers in the first half after Bree Hall’s touchdown for a 7-3 lead. The Jets punted twice and turned it over on the first possession of the second half.
Besides Hall’s touchdown, he managed 54 yards on 16 carries, and the 49ers limited the rest of the Jets’ rushing attack to 14 yards. Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard, a longtime teammate of Rodgers, had a strong performance amid six catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, the Jets played without linebacker Haason Reddick, who remains in a contract holdout with the team. The Jets acquired him in April via a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
San Francisco dealt with similar drama all offseason with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams’ contract disputes. The 49ers signed both to extensions in time for Week 1.
Mason told ESPN after the win on Monday, that he knew since last Friday about starting versus the Jets in place of star running back Christian McCaffrey.
A recent MVP candidate, McCaffrey, showed up on the inactive list on the day of the game at Levi’s Stadium.
Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan had a different story in his press conference after the 49ers’ 32-19 win over the Jets.
“He didn’t know for sure he was (starting) until today,” Shanahan told reporters.
Mason, who gashed the Jets defense for 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, didn’t like facing a question about the contradicting information. He didn’t look like a player who just helped his team win in primetime, either.
“That question right there is why I’m mad,” Mason told reporters. “That’s why I don’t really like talking to the media because you say one thing wrong and then, you know … just skip that question.”
McCaffrey now remains the big question mark amid his calf injury and an indoor game on artificial turf awaits in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings. Shanahan acknowledged the concern but wouldn’t tip his cap on how soon McCaffrey will play again despite rumors the former Stanford star could sit longer.
“I don’t know who knows that he’s not playing next week,” Shanahan told reporters after a 32-19 win over the New York Jets on Monday.
McCaffrey dealt with a calf injury throughout training camp and the preseason, but he was expected to play in Week 1 originally. That said, McCaffrey’s calf injury could be an ongoing challenge for the 49ers for weeks to come.
“It’s been lingering for the last few weeks, but it’s getting better and better, and hopefully, he’ll be better next week,” Shanahan said.
