Jordan Mason has been the most promising revelation for the San Francisco 49ers at the start of the NFL season, leading the team to a 32-19 victory under Kyle Shanahan despite missing their top offensive weapon.

Hours before the game against the New York Jets, it was announced that Christian McCaffrey would be inactive, but the 49ers had a plan in place. Replacing the Offensive Player of the Year was a tall order, but Mason rose to the challenge.

The undrafted running back set career highs with 28 carries and 147 yards, scoring a touchdown and becoming the sixth player in franchise history since 1970 to rush for 100 yards in his first start. Additionally, Mason became the tenth undrafted 49ers player to top 100 rushing yards in a game since Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017, more than any other NFL team in that period.

Who is Jordan Mason?

Jordan Mason grew up in Gallatin, Tennessee, where he started playing in youth leagues, quickly standing out for his running ability and defensive reads. At Gallatin High School, he became a key figure thanks to his size, speed, and strength. In his senior year, Mason amassed over 1,300 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, marking him as one of the top prospects in his region.

At Georgia Tech, Mason continued his development, finishing his college career with more than 2,000 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. His physical style and ability to grind out tough yards made him a standout in the NCAA.

Despite going undrafted in 2022, Mason didn’t let that deter him from pursuing his NFL dreams. He signed with the 49ers as a free agent, impressing coaches in training camp and the preseason to earn a spot on the team.

What happened to Christian McCaffrey?

The star running back has been dealing with calf and Achilles tendon issues since the early days of training camp, a situation head coach Kyle Shanahan disclosed on August 6. Shanahan indicated at the time that McCaffrey would be sidelined for a couple of weeks and would not participate in the preseason. However, there was still hope that he would return in time for Monday’s game.