The San Francisco 49ers will have to start their 2024-25 campaign without their star rusher.
Prior to Monday night's primetime bout with the New York Jets, the team announced running back Christian McCaffrey was inactive. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, 2023's leading rusher is still dealing with a calf injury.
Who does San Francisco turn to now?
If you had McCaffrey on your fantasy squad, you'd best run to grab backup rusher Jordan Mason as he would be next in line to get the bulk of carries Monday night.
Mason only got 40 carries last season for 206 yards with the 49ers, so if you're uncomfortable trusting your Week 1 fate on him, there are other options.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel has been used as a pseudo-running back in the past, primarily on end-around or wildcat formations. San Francisco can choose to run more play-actions using Samuel as a faux-back to make up for the loss of McCaffrey.
Samuel has a combined 160 carries for 1,007 yards in his career. He tallied 225 yards and set a league record for the most career rushing touchdowns scored by a wide receiver (19) in an injury-riddled season last year.
Samuel could add to that career total Monday night, but be wary: New York's defense could key in on him now that there won't be a smashmouth running back like McCaffrey going up the middle.
However, quarterback Brock Purdy is not short on viable weapons. He still has Samuel, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and tight end George Kittle to utilize in the air attack, potentially forcing New York to have second thoughts about where it prioritizes its resources.
San Francisco has a 3-4 record since 2022 when McCaffrey does not start, according to Statmuse.
