Mason, 49ers’ leading everyday rusher, suffers AC joint sprain in shoulder

The NFL’s best runner in 2023 remains out indefinitely with Christian McCaffery nursing Achilles tendinitis in both legs.

As for the NFL’s best runner in 2024, Jordan Mason has an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, so it’s not a serious injury, but 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan hasn’t said he would be ready to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 20. at Levi’s Stadium.

McCaffrey, who rushed for 1,459 yards last season, is on injured reserve and will not practice next week, although Shanahan said he “continues to improve.” Mason’s availability will be determined after three days off and one week of practice.

“We view that as good news, but it doesn’t guarantee he’ll be ready to play,” Shanahan said Friday during his next day’s weekly call with local writers. “It was positive that it wasn’t worse than that.”

Mason had 73 yards on nine carries in a 36-24 win over Seattle on Thursday night, giving him 609 yards on 114 carries in six games. Heading into Sunday’s games, that leads the NFL in rushing, although Baltimore’s Derrick Henry is close behind with 572. He was injured with 9:38 left in the half when he landed heavily on his shoulder after a 14-yard gain when he was hit by the safety. Julien Love.

Mason left the game but returned in the second half with his left shoulder taped and gained eight yards on the first carry of the third quarter. He was moving awkwardly after the port, but he left the game and didn’t come back.

In Mason’s absence, rookie Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor Jr. entered the game and the 49ers finished with 228 rushing yards, including a 76-yard burst by Guerendo when the 49ers put the game away.

“I thought both of them did a really good job,” Shanahan said. “We really didn’t miss anything. They hit the right holes, ran hard, they were prepared and didn’t hesitate when they had their opportunities.

Although McCaffery is not ready to practice, Shanahan said the 49ers expect to open the 21-day practice window for first-round pick Ricky Pearsall Jr., who was on the non-injury list. related to football since he was shot in the chest during training. an attempted theft on August 31.

Pearsall is unlikely to be activated for the Chiefs game.

“I think most likely the ramp-up period will be longer,” Shanahan said. “Health-wise, he’s completely ready to go. But I won’t decide until I see him practice. We’re not going to rush it or anything. If he’s ready, he’s ready and if not, we have a few weeks.

The 49ers may also be in the market for another place kicker, as Matthew Wright suffered a dislocated shoulder while attempting to make a tackle on a 37-yard kickoff return by Dee Williams. Shanahan said the shoulder has been put back into place, but an MRI will reveal the extent of the damage.

Wright won the job in a tryout with three other kickers last week when Jake Moody was lost to a sprained ankle – also making a tackle on a kickoff return. He was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts against Seattle.

Shanahan said cornerback Charvarius Ward (knee) and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (knee), who were inactive against Seattle, were day-to-day. Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf) is expected to begin practicing this week.

SNAP JUDGMENTS

65: Right guard Colton McKivitz and center Jake Brendel were among the four who played every offensive snap (Puni and Purdy were the others. Both take their share of heat, but they opened it up that saw Guerendo burst for 76 yards to put the game on ice as well as on Kyle Juszczyk’s 6-yard run.

62: Brandon Aiyuk played nine more snaps than Samuel and was targeted four times by Purdy with two receptions for 37 yards. HI’s presence drew coverage that allowed Samuel to be alone for a 76-yard touchdown.

59: Maliek Collins, in part because Jordan Elliott (knee) was inactive, played 59 snaps — the most since he had 60 in Week 3 of the 2018 season for Dallas. He had only one tackle and one quarterback hit, but stood out for penetrating the middle of Seattle’s offensive line.

58: George Odum, who opened the season as the starter, was forced into action with Talanoa Hufanga on IR and Mustapha injured after 20 snaps. Made six tackles, broke up a pass at the goal line, defended an extra pass and also carried a load of special teams with 20 extra snaps.