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A perennial powerhouse, the San Francisco 49ers are expected to again be formidable in 2024. The Niners boast one of the NFL's most potent offenses thanks to offensive mastermind Kyle Shanahan.
The clear-cut stud in the San Fran backfield is superstar RB Christian McCaffrey. However, McCaffrey has been sidelined for the majority of training camp with a calf strain.
Who is the RB2 in San Francisco? Is Elijah Mitchell out for the season? Will McCaffrey play in Week 1? Is Jordan Mason his backup? Read ahead for answers and 2024 fantasy football outlooks for the 49ers backfield.
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Will Christian McCaffrey Play in Week 1?
A fantasy football superstar when on the field, McCaffrey has been forced to miss the entirety of training camp this year while dealing with a calf strain. CMC has dealt with soft tissue injuries in the past, missing 23 across the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, DE Leonard Floyd and G Aaron Banks also did work on the side.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) August 26, 2024
However, McCaffrey is expected to be available for the Niners' Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets.
He was reportedly at San Francisco's Monday practice and getting in work on the side, though a Thursday report stated that he's still not ready to resume full practice participation. His outlook for the start of the regular season appears to be positive.
Is Elijah Mitchell Out For The Season?
San Francisco mainstay Mitchell was projected to enter 2024 as San Francisco's RB2 and McCaffrey's backup. Unfortunately, Mitchell was placed on Injured Reserve with a serious hamstring injury on Tuesday, which means he will be out of action for the entirety of 2024.
The #49ers have placed RB Elijah Mitchell on season-ending IR. pic.twitter.com/ZIpLpFcqUC
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 27, 2024
Mitchell has flashed serious talent in his brief stints of action for the Niners, but he's battled injuries throughout his career. He's never appeared in more than 11 games in a season.
With Mitchell lost to season-ending IR, San Francisco will be forced to dig deeper into their backfield depth chart in 2024.
Is Jordan Mason The RB2 in San Francisco?
The third-year back out of Georgia Tech was reportedly locked in a close training camp battle with Mitchell for the RB2 role in the Niners backfield. With Mitchell now lost for the year, Mason is the clear-cut backup to McCaffrey.
Mason has not logged over 50 rushing attempts in either of his previous NFL campaigns, though he's averaged a chunky 5.59 yards per attempt for his career.
Most yards per carry in 2022-23 (min. 75 carries, lol):
1. De'Von Achane (7.9)
2. Jordan Mason (5.6) pic.twitter.com/YbU4Zw8TeQ— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) August 26, 2024
While his previous game experience is limited, the season-ending injury to Mitchell vaults Mason into serious fantasy consideration in 2024. He suddenly becomes a very valuable handcuff back and is now a McCaffrey injury away from becoming the starting running back for a prolific Niners rushing attack. He should be considered a premium fantasy stash.
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