Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
The San Francisco 49ers added a duo of running backs prior to last season by selecting Tyrion Davis-Price in the third round and signing Jordan Mason as an undrafted free agent.
Despite an injury to Elijah Mitchell in Week 1, neither running back saw an enhanced role, although Mason looked the part in training camp and the preseason.
When provided an opportunity later in the season, Mason shined, averaging six yards per carry, while being used as a "closer" in certain situations for the 49ers.
After a productive Year 1 with limited opportunities, can Jordan Mason climb the depth chart and potentially unseat Elijah Mitchell to become Christian McCaffrey's primary backup in 2023?
While I questioned Mason's lack of usage early in the season as Jeff Wilson Jr.'s, the addition of Christian McCaffrey obviously created a logjam at the position, especially once Elijah Mitchell returned from injury.
Mason was a clear bruiser, and successful at that. However, with the skillset that McCaffrey brought to the team upon his arrival, specifically as a third-down back, there were questions of "fit" that potentially kept the undrafted rookie off the field.
However, that might be changing in 2023, as early reports have Mason being fluid with the ball in his hands as a pass-catcher, which he showcased glimpses of during training camp last season.
Here's what The Athletic's Matt Barrows had to say on the emphasis on pass-catching out of the backfield during the open OTA practices.
"As a result, route running and pass catching are a major emphasis for the running back group this season. Mason, in particular, has seemed to make strides. He's caught a lot of passes in the two practices that have been open to reporters so far. And while Davis-Price had a drop last week, he had a long reception on a nice touch pass from Brandon Allen in Wednesday's session," Barrows shared.
With Mason already having success as a first and second-down back, the second-year running back could see a bump in playing time if he proves to be a capable third-down weapon as a receiver, opening the arsenal of plays that Kyle Shanahan can call when he's on the field.
Add Mason's emergence and consistency when compared to the injury-prone Elijah Mitchell, there's an argument to be made for the undrafted free agent to cement himself as the primary backup to McCaffrey.
While it would be smarter for positional depth to retain Mitchell, there's also a possibility he could be traded prior to the start of the season, which would be a statement about the team's confidence in Mason as well.
Regardless, the second-year running back was a clear standout from Day 1, and a year of improvement, both as a runner and as a pass-catcher, should put him in a competition with Mitchell for the backup spot.
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey once again nominated for FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week
By David Bonilla
Sep 18
Running back Christian McCaffrey has once again been nominated for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week, an award he won after Week 1. The latest nomination comes after the San Francisco 49ers' Week 2 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
McCaffrey rushed for 116 yards on 20 carries (5.8-yard average) and a rushing touchdown in the win over the Rams. His 268 rushing yards through the first two weeks of the season leads the NFL by an 88-yard margin.
Other nominees for this week's award are Miami running back Raheem Mostert, who rushed for 121 yards on 18 carries (6.7 average) and two touchdowns in Week 2, and Philadelphia running back D'Andre Swift, who rushed for 175 yards on 28 attempts (6.3 average) and a touchdown.
FedEx gives fans the opportunity
49ers starting to figure out running back rotation behind Christian McCaffrey
By Rohan Chakravarthi
12 hrs
Through the first two games of the season, San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey dominated the team's touches, recording 27 in Week 1, where he rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown, and 23 in Week 2, where he earned 116 yards on the ground and another touchdown.
When on the field, McCaffrey was dominant, but he was earning a lion's share of the reps at running back, including a 100% snap share in Week 2 during the 49ers' 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
That led to head coach Kyle Shanahan taking some accountability after the Week 2 win, understanding the need to balance the running back rotation to preserve McCaffrey for the full season.
"Yeah, we definitely got to get Elijah in there more and do better with our rotation than
49ers mailbag: Is Christian McCaffrey being overused? Should Spencer Burford be benched? Is Steve Wilkes who the defense needs? When is Nick Bosa going to show up?
By Marc Adams
Sep 19
The San Francisco 49ers are 2-0 to start off the 2023 season. In 2021, the 49ers won their first two games but then lost their next four. A win Thursday night, in the home opener against the New York Giants, would be the 49ers' first 3-0 start since 2019. That season, the team started out 8-0 before going on to win the NFC West and cruise through the NFC playoffs on their way to a birth in Super Bowl LIV.
I can't seem to remember how that game turned out, though. It's like it's been blocked from my memory.
It doesn't matter, because we've moved on to the current season. And to celebrate the 2-0 start, we've opened up the mailbag to answer those questions burning a hole in your mind. So let's get to it.
Marc, what did ya think of CMC channelling
49ers' Christian McCaffrey on heavy workload: "Sometimes that's just how the games go"
By David Bonilla
Sep 19
Christian McCaffrey doesn't sound too worried about his heavy workload this season. The running back played all 57 offensive snaps on Sunday in the San Francisco 49ers' 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Through two games this season, McCaffrey has played 115 snaps.
The only other running back (not counting fullback Kyle Juszczyk) who has been on the field for the Niners this season is Elijah Mitchell, who played 10 snaps in Week 1.
On Tuesday, McCaffrey spoke about his lopsided workload, with one reporter asking what he considers the "sweet spot" for playing time.
"I think it's all dependent on how the game's going," McCaffrey said (h/t
