The 49ers' run game suffered a significant setback at the beginning of the season when it was determined that Christian McCaffrey wouldn't be ready. This setback worsened when he was diagnosed with bilateral Achilles tendonitis. CMC made his debut against Tampa Bay in Week 10 but lasted only until Week 13 when he sustained a knee injury. His return renewed hope, only for it to be crushed almost immediately.
Strength in Numbers
Jordan Mason has been outstanding all year. His talent as a ball carrier was evident to anyone who watched him over the past few years, but opportunities were limited in a crowded backfield. With CMC out at the start of the season, it was Mason's chance to shine. He surprised nearly everyone by performing like a top running back during the first eight weeks before he encountered his own injury issues. Additionally, when CMC returned in Week 10, Mason's opportunities were further restricted. When CMC went down awkwardly with a non-contact injury, there was still optimism considering the 49ers had another top running back ready to step in. However, that optimism was dashed a few days later when news broke that Mason would be joining CMC on injured reserve.
Next Man Up
Isaac Guerendo is a largely untested talent. He spent five years in college and was mostly unproductive until his final year, where he still failed to surpass 900 rushing yards. Nevertheless, the 49ers' offense is likely to perform better with Isaac Guerendo as the lead back than it did with Jordan Mason. To put it simply, Guerendo is an athletic standout. He weighs nearly the same as Jordan Mason and is about ten pounds heavier than CMC. However, Guerendo's 40-yard dash time of 4.33 seconds outperforms both CMC's (4.48) and Mason's (4.58). Each of these running backs brings different skill sets to the table. CMC is known for his elite vision and catching ability, while Mason has arguably been a better pure runner, utilizing a bruising style that wears down defenses and forces them to abandon the ineffective arm tackles they might typically rely on.
A 49ers fan might question how the offense could improve with Guerendo in charge, but the answer is straightforward. CMC created challenges for defenses due to his versatility, and Guerendo can do the same, although likely at a slightly lower level. While Mason is a fantastic runner—there's no doubt about that—he is not a threat in the receiving game. On the other hand, Guerendo has some experience catching passes out of the backfield. During his final season at Louisville, he caught 22 passes for 234 yards. While these numbers may not be eye-popping, they indicate that Guerendo can be a receiving threat. Having a running back who poses a versatile threat on every down is a significant advantage and a much-needed asset for the 49ers.