In a latest setback for the San Francisco 49ers, the team lost running back Jordan Mason to a shoulder injury during their Week 6 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. This comes as star running back Christian McCaffrey is still sidelined with Achilles tendinitis in both legs, with his return not expected for at least another month, as reported by NFL Media.
Despite technically being eligible to return for Thursday’s game after missing four games while on injured reserve, McCaffrey and the 49ers are aiming for a return to practice during the Week 7 to Week 8 timeframe, with hopes of getting him back in game shape for Week 10 after the team’s bye week.
Ian Rapoport has revealed that the target for McCaffrey’s return has been set internally by both the player and the team, with the goal being to have him ready to take the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 10. However, uncertainty looms as ESPN has reported that the exact timeline for McCaffrey’s return is still unknown to both parties.
Having led the NFL in rushing yards in 2023, McCaffrey has yet to see any action on the field this season after becoming the league’s highest-paid running back in the offseason. His injury history, which includes missing a total of 23 games from 2020-2021, has been a cause for concern for the 49ers as they await his return.
In the absence of both McCaffrey and Mason, the 49ers have relied on backup options such as Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor Jr. to fill the void in the running back position. Mason, who had been performing well with 609 rushing yards in six games as the emergency starter, also suffered an injury during Thursday’s game, leaving the team with limited options in the backfield.
With key players sidelined due to injuries, the 49ers are facing challenges in maintaining their momentum as they prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys in the coming weeks. The pressure is on for the team to find solutions in the running back position while they await the return of their star player, Christian McCaffrey.
