Current:Home > FinanceNiners, Jordan Mason offer potentially conflicting accounts of when he knew he'd start -AssetVision
Niners, Jordan Mason offer potentially conflicting accounts of when he knew he'd start
View
Date:2025-04-13 09:12:38
The feel-good story of undrafted San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason unexpectedly stepping into injured star Christian McCaffrey's shoes and leading his team to a resounding victory may have been a little too good to be true.
In an interview with ESPN reporter Lisa Salters after Monday night's 32-19 win over the New York Jets, in which Mason rushed for a career-high 147 yards and a touchdown, he was asked when he knew he would be starting in McCaffrey's place.
"Maybe Friday, Friday night," Mason said. "Something like that."
The rest of America – including the Jets players and coaches – only found out a little over an hour before game time when the Niners officially declared McCaffrey inactive due to a calf injury.
After the game, Niners coach Kyle Shanahan refuted Mason's comments, saying the team still thought McCaffrey had a chance to play when he came out for warmups.
All things 49ers: Latest San Francisco 49ers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
"Just the same stuff that was bothering him all week," Shanahan told reporters after the game. "There was a little too much today, game-time decision. He came in, just talking to him about it, it was still there. Thought it was going to be smart to keep him out and glad we did."
In Mason's postgame media session, when he was asked again when he knew he was starting, his answer was considerably different from the one he gave on the field.
"That question right there ..." Mason said haltingly. "That's why I don't like really talking to the media because you say one thing wrong and then ... I don't know. Just skip that question."
NFL rules give teams plenty of wiggle room when determining players' injury status. But with the league in a lucrative business relationship with gambling and fantasy sports companies, that information is supposed to be public knowledge.
McCaffrey was listed as questionable on the Niners' official injury report, up until he was declared inactive for Monday night's game.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (35)
Related
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- Rural Nevada county roiled by voting conspiracies picks new top elections official
- Rams QB Jimmy Garoppolo says he 'messed up' exemption leading to PED suspension
- California holds special election today to fill vacancy left by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Pair accused of stealing battery manufacturing secrets from Tesla and starting their own company
- Jokic’s 35 points pace Nuggets in 115-112 win over short-handed Timberwolves after tight finish
- Emily Ratajkowski recycles engagement rings as 'divorce rings' in post-split 'evolution'
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Men's NCAA Tournament 2024: 10 bold predictions for March Madness
Ranking
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- North Carolina county boards dismiss election protests from legislator. Recounts are next
- Highlights from the AP’s reporting on the shrimp industry in India
- Rural Nevada county roiled by voting conspiracies picks new top elections official
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Two arrested in brawl at California shopping center after planned meetup goes viral
- EPA issues new auto rules aimed at cutting carbon emissions, boosting electric vehicles and hybrids
- On 20th anniversary of Vermont teen Brianna Maitland’s disappearance, $40K reward offered for tips
Recommendation
Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
Drake Bell calls out 'Ned's Declassified' stars for appearing to mock Nickelodeon abuse allegations
Federal appeals court order puts controversial Texas immigration law back on hold
2 Japanese men die in river near Washington state waterfall made popular on TikTok
In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
Reports: Authorities investigate bomb threat claim at MLB season-opener in South Korea
U.S. drops from top 20 happiest countries list in 2024 World Happiness Report
Highlights from the AP’s reporting on the shrimp industry in India