In a thrilling Monday Night Football showdown, the San Francisco 49ers emerged victorious against the New York Jets, with backup running back Jordan Mason stepping up in his first career start in place of the injured Christian McCaffrey.
After the game, Mason revealed to ESPN’s Lisa Salters that he was aware of his starting role as early as Friday, even before the team officially confirmed McCaffrey’s absence just hours before kickoff.
However, head coach Kyle Shanahan disputed Mason’s claim, stating that he only informed the running back on Monday that he would be starting the season opener. Shanahan clarified that he had hinted to Mason earlier about a possible increase in workload due to McCaffrey’s injury, but never explicitly stated he would be starting.
“I never told Jordan he was going to start. I told him he had to be ready a bunch, but that might’ve been [Robert Turner Jr.] or somebody trying to pump him up. He was going to be a No. 2 back that was splitting a lot of the time, but he didn’t know for sure he was doing that until today,” Shanahan explained.
Regarding McCaffrey’s injury status, Shanahan mentioned that the calf issue had been fluctuating throughout the week but ultimately hindered the running back from taking the field on Monday.
The delayed announcement of McCaffrey’s absence received backlash from fans, who expressed frustration over the lack of transparency from the 49ers. The sudden change impacted fantasy football and sports betting, catching many off guard.
Despite the controversy surrounding the lineup changes, Mason’s standout performance showcased his readiness to step up when needed, proving his mettle on the field. The 49ers’ victory, coupled with Mason’s stellar showing, left a lasting impression on fans and pundits alike, highlighting the unpredictability and excitement of the game.