49ers’ Game Plan: What’s Behind the Decision to Limit Mason and Guerendo?
Since returning from an Achilles tendinitis issue, Christian McCaffrey has dominated the San Francisco 49ers’ backfield, playing 88% of the offensive snaps. In contrast, Jordan Mason has seen just 8% of the snaps since McCaffrey’s return, while Isaac Guerendo has played only 3%. Despite McCaffrey’s underwhelming statistical start, the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year has kept the other running backs mostly sidelined.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the lack of a running back rotation, even as McCaffrey continues to work his way back to form. Shanahan noted that the team typically avoids a multi-back system, even during McCaffrey’s absence, when Mason handled most of the workload while Guerendo saw limited action.
“I mean, we’re not just a big three-man-rotation team, especially when you have a solidified starter,” Shanahan said. “We’re not trying to get Christian off the field more. We want to keep him fresh and keep him at his best, but Christian’s also a guy who gets better as he goes. He’s a guy who feels a lot more comfortable being out there.”
Statistical disparity
This season, McCaffrey has averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per carry. Mason, meanwhile, has averaged 5.1 yards per carry, with Guerendo posting an impressive 6.0 yards per carry. Despite these numbers, McCaffrey’s versatility as a pass-catcher and his ability to create mismatches in the passing game are significant reasons for his heavy usage.
McCaffrey is averaging a career-high 10.2 yards per reception, compared to Mason’s 8.3 and Guerendo’s 5.5. His presence on the field forces defenses to account for the threat of a pass to the running back, something Shanahan believes sets McCaffrey apart.
