The San Francisco 49ers kicked off their season with a dominating 32-19 victory over the New York Jets, despite being without star running back Christian McCaffrey.
McCaffrey, who was shockingly ruled out just before the game due to a lingering calf strain, left big shoes to fill. However, backup running back Jordan Mason stepped up in a major way.
Mason played a pivotal role in the 49ers’ offensive success, racking up 147 rushing yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.
The second-year back kept the Jets’ defense off balance with his violent style of running, allowing San Francisco to maintain a steady offensive rhythm.
Despite it being the biggest night of Mason’s young NFL career, he was pulled into a controversy over the timing of McCaffrey’s injury and ultimate absence from the opener.
During an interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters immediately after the game, Mason revealed that he had known he would start as early as Friday.
“When did I find out? Maybe Friday. Friday night, something like that,” Mason responded when Salters asked when he found out he was starting.
This revelation surprised many, as McCaffrey was officially ruled out only shortly before kickoff.
Mason’s honest response raised plenty of eyebrows across the NFL world.
Needless to say, fans immediately accused 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan of breaking injury report rules.
“The information must be credible, accurate, timely, and specific within the guidelines of the policy, which is of paramount important in maintaining the integrity of the game,” the league’s injury report policy states.
While he surely didn’t mean to get Shanahan or the team in trouble, Mason’s revelation that he knew on Friday that he’d be starting in place of McCaffrey brought plenty of unwanted heat on the organization.
Clearly, someone from the team spoke to Mason before he got up to the podium to speak to the media on what was one of the biggest nights of his life.
When asked a very similar question to Salter’s, Mason suddenly had a different tone and snapped at the media for attempting to bait him into more trouble.
“That question right there is why I’m mad,” he said. “That’s why I don’t like really talking to media because you say one thing wrong, and then, you know … I don’t know. Just skip that question.”
Shanahan claimed that he never told Mason he was starting and insisted he was just simply told to be ready if McCaffrey was to be held out.
“I never told Jordan he was gonna start,” Shanahan said. “Told him he had to be ready a bunch. But it might have been [running backs coach] Bobby [Turner] or somebody trying to pump him up. But I knew he was gonna have to play a lot. Told him that it wasn’t gonna be like usual.”
Of course, there are plenty of people who don’t think Shanahan is telling the full truth.
He insisted that he and the team were just as surprised as anyone that McCaffrey wasn’t able to go. All parties decided it was best to play it safe especially since the injury is one that is known to linger if not handled properly.
“Just same stuff that was bothering him all week,” Shanahan said of McCaffrey’s injury. “There was a little too much today. Game-time decision. He came in, just talking to him about it. It was still there. Thought it was gonna be smart to keep him out. And glad we did.”
There are some who want Shanahan and the 49ers punished for how they handled everything. Despite what Mason said, it will be hard to prove that the Niners did anything wrong.
Regardless, the bottom line is Mason played spectacular, and San Francisco proved why they are the most loaded team in the league.
To not miss a beat despite being without an MVP candidate like McCaffrey speaks to just how talented and prepared the team is.
What are your thoughts on the controversy???