49ers' Jordan Mason could write his name into the NFL history books in just his third career start

Losing Christian McCaffrey for the start of the season was a nightmare scenario for the San Francisco 49ers, but it has allowed his replacement Jordan Mason to live a fariytale. McCaffrey's calf injury and Achilles tendinitis have led to Mason stepping in as the 49ers' lead running back and the results, at least in terms […]

Nicholas McGee
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Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) runs with the ball against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Losing Christian McCaffrey for the start of the season was a nightmare scenario for the San Francisco 49ers, but it has allowed his replacement Jordan Mason to live a fariytale.

McCaffrey's calf injury and Achilles tendinitis have led to Mason stepping in as the 49ers' lead running back and the results, at least in terms of his running game production, have been outstanding.

While his minimal impact as a receiver is a cause for concern, there can be no doubt about the impressive nature of his performances on the ground. Indeed, Mason is second in the NFL in rushing yards with 247 and two touchdowns.

He had 147 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening win over the New York Jets  and followed up that display with a 100 yards and a score as the 49ers dropped their Week 2 game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Those showings mean Mason now has the chance to join a select group of backs when the 49ers visit the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Entering Week 3, only six backs in NFL history have rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in each of the first three games to start a season. Here is the list:

  • Jim Brown (Cleveland Browns, 1958, six games)
  • O.J. Simpson (Buffalo Bills, 1975, five games)
  • DeMarco Murray (Dallas Cowboys, 2014, four games)
  • Emmitt Smith (Dallas Cowboys, 1995, four games)
  • Dalvin Cook (Minnesota Vikings, 2019, three games)
  • Curtis Martin (New York Jets, 2004, three games)

J.K. Dobbins of the Los Angeles Chargers has a chance to become the seventh during Sunday's early slate of games, with Mason's opportunity coming soon after when the Niners face the Rams at SoFi Stadium.

San Francisco's running game has not missed a beat with Mason, who deserves the acclaim he is now getting after turning an excellent offseason into a superb start to the regular season. He will be more interested in helping the 49ers get back on track, but further reward for his preparation and his patience in waiting for his time to shine could soon come with a place in the history books.

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