The San Francisco 49ers created a stir on Monday night when they unexpectedly announced that star running back Christian McCaffrey would not be playing in their season opener against the New York Jets. However, what was a shock to many seemed less surprising to McCaffrey’s backup, Jordan Mason, who may have inadvertently highlighted a potential NFL rule violation after the 49ers’ 32-19 win on “Monday Night Football.”
Mason, who had a standout performance in his first career start, rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. During his postgame interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters, Mason revealed that he knew he would be starting in McCaffrey’s place as early as Friday.
“When did I find out? Maybe Friday. Friday night, something like that,” Mason said when asked about his preparation for the start.
However, Mason’s comments during a subsequent postgame interview seemed to show frustration. He appeared irritated when another reporter inquired about when he learned he would be starting.
“That question right there is why I’m mad,” Mason said. “That’s why I don’t like really talking to media because you say one thing right and then, you know, I don’t know. Just skip that question.”
Head coach Kyle Shanahan contradicted Mason’s statement, asserting that the team only confirmed Mason’s starting role on game day.
“He didn’t know for sure he was (starting) until today,” Shanahan said.
McCaffrey had been dealing with a calf and Achilles injury leading up to the game, but he had expressed confidence in his ability to play. However, he was officially listed as inactive just over an hour before kickoff, a surprise given the silence surrounding his availability.
If Mason’s claim is accurate—that he was informed on Friday that McCaffrey would be unavailable and that he would be starting—this could potentially constitute a breach of NFL injury reporting rules. The league mandates that injury reports be credible, accurate, and timely to ensure fair play, especially with the growing influence of fantasy football and legalized sports betting.
According to the NFL’s injury report policy, “The information must be credible, accurate, timely, and specific within the guidelines of the policy, which is of paramount importance in maintaining the integrity of the game.”
If the league investigates and finds that the 49ers improperly reported McCaffrey’s status, the team could face fines. In severe cases, penalties might include player suspensions or forfeiture of draft picks. A notable precedent was set in 2019 when the Pittsburgh Steelers were penalized for failing to accurately report quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s injury, which led to significant ramifications.
As the league considers its next steps, the focus will remain on whether the 49ers’ injury reporting adhered to NFL regulations and how this could impact the team moving forward.