San Francisco 49ers: Offensive Weapon Believed to Avoided a Significant Injury

Since the beginning of the 2024 season, injuries have plagued the San Francisco 49ers and their running back tandem. Elijah Mitchell, their assumed backup, suffered a significant hamstring injury before the season started, and the 49ers placed him on season-ending injured reserve at the roster cutdown deadline. Christian McCaffrey hasn’t played this season either because of tendonitis in both Achilles tendons and is on injured reserve. There is hope that McCaffrey returns at some point in November.

Mitchell’s and McCaffrey’s replacement has done an incredible job in relief but went down with an injury.

The San Francisco 49ers running back suffered a shoulder injury

San Francisco 49ers, Jordan Mason — Oct 10, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) tackles San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Jordan Mason injured his left shoulder in the second quarter of their 36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks last night. Mason underwent an X-ray and returned in the third quarter to play one snap on their first drive to exit the game and not return. He finished the game with 73 rushing yards on nine carries. Kyle Shanahan told the media postgame that the pain was too much for him, but he would have played in an emergency.

“Just in case of an emergency, stayed available,” Shanahan said. “… He thought he was gonna be alright. He went back in and it just hurt him too much, so he went out, I think that was the first play, and then he was out (on the sideline) just in case of an emergency.”

He appears to have avoided a significant injury

USATSI 24211851 168410494 lowres — Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) rushes up the middle in the second quarter against the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the San Francisco 49ers believe Jordan Mason dodged a significant injury. The team believes he suffered an AC joint sprain in his shoulder that’s not considered serious. He will undergo more testing on Friday to confirm the severity.

Who replaces him in the starting lineup (if he misses time)?

San Francisco 49ers, Isaac Guerendo — Oct 6, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (31) after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Isaac Guerendo is the candidate to replace Jordan Mason in the starting lineup if he misses time. The San Francisco 49ers drafted Guerendo in the fourth round after running the fastest 40-time of any running back during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine at 4.33 seconds. He had a solid performance last night, displaying his blazing speed, rushing for 99 yards on ten carries, including a 76-yard run. He has 140 rushing yards on 22 carries on the season.

Another candidate to replace Mason is Patrick Taylor Jr. Taylor bounced around on the Green Bay Packers practice squad and active roster for the past four seasons and is more of a power back, given his 6’2″, 217-pound stature. He did not play on offense in their first five games but had 16 rushing yards on five carries last night.