The San Francisco 49ers blew apart the New York Jets from the Bay Area after winning their season opener 32-19. Although there were plenty of highlights from Monday night’s football, backup RB Jordan Mason was among the standout performers. With reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey sitting out, citing calf issues, Mason stepped up to the opportunity.

But during his post-game interview, Mason said he already knew on Friday night that he would be starting against the Jets. However, it was not until game day that the 49ers decided to change the status of McCaffrey’s availability in Levi’s Stadium. This stirred up controversy that led ex-NFLer Kurt Benkert to express his thoughts about the incident, “Maybe if organizations just acted truthfully in reporting injuries, players wouldn’t get caught in the heat of the moment forgetting to lie for their team.”

After Mason’s comments, the NFL could probably start an investigation against the 49ers for not changing player statuses like McCaffrey’s. Kyle Shanahan, when asked to express his views about Mason learning his role ahead of Monday night clash, the 49ers head coach stated, “I never told Jordan he was going to start. I told him he had to be ready a bunch. But he didn’t know for sure he was doing that until today.”

Well, looks like Shanahan has thrown Mason under the bus while calling his comments false to avoid controversy. However, Jordan was visibly fuming when he learned the 49ers head coach hadn’t backed his claims about the role he had before Monday. Speaking with the reporters, Mason stated, “I’m mad. That’s why I don’t like talking to the media, ’cause you say one thing wrong, and then you know.”

This situation doesn’t bode well with the 49ers, as teams have recently found themselves being fined for masking player injuries. Going back to 2019, the Steelers found themselves in a similar situation when they were handed a fine worth $75,000 and Mike Tomlin an additional $25,000. Well, it happened because the Steelers didn’t disclose that QB Ben Roethlisberger had elbow surgery and wouldn’t play for the rest of the season.

However, taking nothing away from the 49ers, they didn’t allow McCaffrey’s absence to impact the offense that ran through the Jets defense. And the one who led his team from the front was Jordan Mason.

Jordan Mason stole the spotlight as McCaffrey sat out against the Jets

Signed back in 2022 as a free agent, this was Mason’s first start ever in the Bay Area. And, boy, he didn’t disappoint as the running back broke tackles while racking up yards against the Aaron Rodgers-led Jets. With his sustained long drives and winning possession at crucial times didn’t allow the four-time NFL MVP to get a grip on the match. Mason ended his night on the gridiron, racking up 147 passing yards, 28 carries, and one TD.

Seeing his performance on the night, fans poured in to express their excitement as one of them wrote, “The 49ers might have won the Super Bowl last season if they had found a way to incorporate Jordan Mason into their offense. What a weapon.” Well, we might never know if Mason would have played against the Chiefs in that overtime loss in Super Bowl LVIII; the results could have been different. However, Mason wasn’t the only one who showed their capabilities on the night.

Deebo Samuel chipped in with a touchdown while George Kittle kept the plays going. Elsewhere, Brock Purdy dictated the play from the center, having racked up 19-of-29 passes and 231 passing yards to his name. But it remains to be seen whether the 49ers can continue on their sensational start to the season. Or will notable absentees like McCaffrey catch up to them, eventually?