New FOX Sports broadcaster Tom Brady debuted his first-ever “Top 3 Stars of the Week,” highlighting Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, and San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason.
Mason made his first career start on Monday night against the New York Jets, stepping in for the injured Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey’s absence in Week 1 was unexpected. The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year had anticipated playing after missing most of training camp and the preseason, but a calf strain and Achilles tendinitis sidelined him.
In McCaffrey’s place, Mason delivered a standout performance, rushing for a career-high 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt. His impressive efforts helped lift the 49ers to a 1-0 start.
“Nobody was really expecting that,” Brady said. “They weren’t sure if CMC (McCaffrey) was going to play. Jordan gets the start, goes out there, has a dominating performance against one of the best defenses in the league. That’s exactly what the Niners offense needed from him. What a night.”
It’s uncertain if McCaffrey will play in this weekend’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings or if Mason will get the starting nod again. Head coach Kyle Shanahan noted that McCaffrey would have played against the Jets had it been a playoff game.
“But it’s not just the calf, it’s the Achilles, and the Achilles is tendinitis, and that stuff comes and goes,” Shanahan commented. “And when it is acting up, it’s something you got to be very careful about.”
