There was nightmare potential for the San Francisco 49ers leading into the first full week of the regular season.
Left tackle Trent Williams was holding out, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was holding in, and running back Christian McCaffrey was dealing with a calf injury.
Williams and Aiyuk’s contract situations were tumultuous, but it always seemed like those would get resolved in time for both players to suit up in the regular season. McCaffrey’s injury had a little less certainty around it. He was limited the first two days of practice for Week 1, but the running back told reporters he has no doubt he’ll play in the season opener.
While McCaffrey’s availability against the Jets may no longer be much of a question mark, his workload Monday night remains unclear. It wouldn’t be a surprise if his workload is uncharacteristically light given that he’s coming off a calf injury and severely truncated training camp.
If his workload is limited some, it could open the door for running back Jordan Mason to have a career night.
Mason, a third-year former undrafted free agent, will enter the season as the No. 2 RB for the first time. He has only 83 carries in his career and he’s reached double-digit carries only twice. He posted 11 carries for 56 yards as a rookie in a 35-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last season he went for 69 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries in a 42-10 route of the Dallas Cowboys.
Monday should be another opportunity for him to get to double-digit carries, and perhaps even a new career-high.
McCaffrey figures to take a lion’s share of the work. His injury and short camp could compel the 49ers to limit his workload early with some uncharacteristic rests early in the game. If San Francisco has a lead late, they could also turn to Mason as the de facto ‘closer’ to shoulder some of the tougher, between-the-tackles carries while McCaffrey continues his ramp up.
It’s unlikely that Mason plays a major role on the 49ers’ offense as long as McCaffrey is healthy. If the former UDFA is going to have a breakout game this season though, Monday night may be his best opportunity.
