In McCaffrey's absence, running back Jordan Mason has stepped up, leading the team with 447 rushing yards and three touchdowns over four games. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel has also contributed to the ground game, carrying the ball 12 times for 27 yards and a rushing touchdown. Although his 2.3 yards per carry are below his usual averages, opposing defenses still have to account for Samuel whenever he gets the handoff since he is so challenging to bring down.
On Wednesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the difference in play-calling when McCaffrey is in the backfield versus Samuel.
"It's a little different," Shanahan admitted. "Just certain things—Deebo is a wide receiver, and Christian is a running back. Those guys are somewhat interchangeable. They can do a lot of things the other can do, but not everything. I don't want to go through those specifically, but it's not everything."
Mason spent the offseason working on his pass-catching abilities, investing in a $3,000 JUGS machine. While he has just six catches for 57 yards so far, Shanahan believes the running back can also become a dangerous receiving threat.
"It started showing up the most last year, I thought," Shanahan said. "I think when Christian got here his first year, just Jordan, Elijah [Mitchell], all the backs, just watching him, how he was out of the backfield, all the stuff that he started to get because of that, I think all those guys were just a little more deliberate in that stuff in the offseason, and they all came back better last year. It showed a ton. Christian was just always available last year.
"And this year, they did the same thing working, and JP's (Mason) gotten his opportunity, and it's really paid off."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
K.J. Wright sees versatility, growth from 49ers' young linebackers
The San Francisco 49ers have plenty of experience at linebacker, but there are a couple of young players who are giving linebackers coach K.J. Wright plenty to be excited about. Rookie Jaden Dugger and second-year linebacker Nick Martin are both battling for opportunities, and... -
49ers WR Coach Leonard Hankerson praises young receivers, emphasizes versatility and preparation
The San Francisco 49ers have plenty of questions to answer at wide receiver heading into the 2026 season, but according to receivers coach Leonard Hankerson, several of the team's young players are already showing the kind of work ethic and preparation that could help them earn... -
49ers injury news: Kyle Shanahan shares updates on Christian McCaffrey, Nick Bosa
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa missed his fifth consecutive practice Tuesday, this time sitting out a joint session with the Tennessee Titans. Running back Christian McCaffrey has missed two straight practices, leading some fans to grow concerned about the status... -
49ers' Christian McCaffrey contract speculation emerges after training camp setback
NFL situations are often overanalyzed by the media, and that may be the case with San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey's recent training camp setback. McCaffrey has not practiced since August 8, when he was sidelined by what the 49ers described as...