Mason rushed 13 times for 52 yards and a touchdown and brought in three of four targets for four yards in the Vikings' 21-17 win over the Browns in London on Sunday.
Mason's rushing opportunities were limited, but he locked in a solid fantasy day with a three-yard touchdown run to cap off the first drive of the second half. The offseason addition generally found tough sledding on the ground outside of the short score and his game-long 14-yard run, but he continued to keep Minnesota's ground attack viable in the ongoing absence of Aaron Jones (IR, hamstring). Mason should be in line to remain the lead back when the Vikings come out of the Week 6 bye with a Week 7 home matchup against the Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 19.
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Vikings' Jordan Mason: Held in check by Pittsburgh
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Mason carried the ball 16 times for 57 yards and caught all three of his targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Steelers in Dublin.
The former 49ers wasn't able to repeat his Week 3 breakout versus Cincinnati against a tougher front seven, and Mason's longest run against Pittsburgh went for only nine yards. He also saw backup RB Zavier Scott catch a 16-yard TD in the fourth quarter as Minnesota tried to come back from a 21-6 deficit. Things won't get any easier for Mason in Week 5, as he'll take on a Browns defense in London that has already stuffed Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs this season.
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Vikings' Jordan Mason: RBs to Start
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Mason was awesome as the Start of the Week in Week 3 against the Bengals with 16 carries for 116 yards and two touchdowns, and he scored 23.6 PPR points in the first game without Aaron Jones (hamstring). Mason didn't have a target, but Minnesota blasted Cincinnati 48-10, so he wasn't needed in the passing game. We'll see if that changes in Week 4 against the Steelers in Ireland, but Pittsburgh has struggled to stop Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker III so far this year, as both running backs scored at least 16.5 PPR points. I like Mason as a borderline No. 1 running back in all leagues.
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Vikings' Jordan Mason: Primed for large workloads
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Mason is taking over as Minnesota's unquestioned lead back with Aaron Jones (hamstring) going to injured reserve and missing at least four games.
With No. 3 RB Ty Chandler (knee) already on IR, the Vikings are left with Mason and Zavier Scott as their only running backs on the active roster. The team figures to promote Cam Akers or Xazavian Valladay from the practice squad before Sunday's game against Cincinnati, but that shouldn't stop Mason from taking on a large workload against a vulnerable defense in a game featuring two backup quarterbacks. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters Wednesday that Mason is a "potential bell-cow kind of back."
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Vikings' Jordan Mason: In line for more work
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Mason is a candidate for more touches with Aaron Jones (hamstring) potentially being limited or sidelined Sunday versus the Bengals, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Coach Kevin O'Connell relayed the news regarding Jones on Monday, and the situation should gain clarity once the Vikings are required to post Week 3 injury reports, starting Wednesday. In any case, Mason already had a leg up on Jones through two games this season, handling 24 carries for 98 yards and gathering in three of four targets for 15 yards, while Jones notched 13 carries for 46 yards and three catches (on four targets) for 44 yards and one touchdown. Assuming Jones is out this weekend, most of his touches will be gobbled up by Mason.
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Vikings' Jordan Mason: Leads backfield with 11 touches
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Mason rushed nine times for 30 yards and caught two of three targets for eight yards in Sunday's 22-6 loss to Atlanta.
Mason was already seeing early-down work before co-starter Aaron Jones (hamstring) was forced out of the contest with an injury. The latter did not return Sunday, and Jones' status going forward is currently unclear. The gradual shift by Minnesota's coaching staff towards the younger, more-explosive Mason early in the season was clear, and the injury to his backfield mate only solidifies that movement. Managers should look past this statistical dud and start Mason with confidence heading into next Sunday's tilt against the Bengals.
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Vikings' Jordan Mason: Sleeper RBs
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We told you all offseason to expect a timeshare for the Vikings between Mason and Aaron Jones, and that's what happened in Week 1 at Chicago. Mason played 30 snaps, and Jones had 28. Mason led the team in carries with 15 for 68 yards, while Jones had eight for 23 yards. And Jones had three catches for 44 yards on three targets, while Mason had one catch for 7 yards on one target. I'll still use Jones as a No. 2 running back in all leagues for Week 2 against Atlanta, but Mason is a high-end flex. He could end up as the better running back in Minnesota if this usage continues all year.
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Vikings' Jordan Mason: Handles lead rushing role Monday
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Mason rushed 15 times for 68 yards and brought in his only target for seven yards in the Vikings' 27-24 win over the Bears on Monday night.
Mason comfortably led the Vikings in rush attempts and rushing yards, outpacing the only other running back to log a carry, Aaron Jones, by seven carries and 45 yards. The Week 1 usage between the two players is eye-catching to say the least, considering Jones is the established incumbent of the ground attack under a returning coaching staff. Nevertheless, Mason is a proven commodity as an offseason addition, and head coach Kevin O'Connell may be most comfortable affording the latter the bulk of early-down work on most weeks. The next opportunity to see how the pecking order shakes out comes in a Week 2 home matchup against the Falcons on Sunday night.
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Vikings' Jordan Mason: Sleeper RBs
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I love Aaron Jones this week as a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues, but you could also use Mason as a flex. The Vikings plan to use both running backs in tandem, and Mason could be the preferred option on the goal line. Minnesota also might lean heavily on the ground game in J.J. McCarthy's first NFL start, and Jones and Mason might each get close to 15 total touches. I'm curious to see how the game plan works in Week 1, and Mason could be a nice surprise, especially if he scores.
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Vikings' Jordan Mason: Looks good in limited duty
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Mason rushed for 20 yards on four carries and failed to catch his only target in Saturday's 20-10 preseason win over the Texans.
Getting the start with Aaron Jones held out of the lineup Minnesota's exhibition opener, Mason saw a heavy workload on the team's first drive and then checked out of the contest. Mason was very productive last season with the 49ers in Kyle Shanahan's RB-friendly scheme, but it's not yet clear how big a role he'll have with the Vikings behind Jones, who is coming off a 2024 campaign in which he amassed 1,546 scrimmage yards and played all 17 regular-season games.
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Vikings' Jordan Mason: Should get goal-line chances
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Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell expects Mason (ankle) to "bring something to the table" in goal-line and short-yardage situations, ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert reports.
O'Connell also discussed returning starter Aaron Jones, saying "when [Jones] has... that 1A/1B backfield structure, he can be a total game-changer every time he touches the ball." In other words, O'Connell hopes the 223-pound Mason can be 1B, taking carries between the tackles while Jones gets most of the work in space. The Vikings traded for Mason in mid-March, shortly after San Francisco gave him a second-round restricted free agent tender (and after Minnesota re-signed Jones on a two-year, $20 million contract). Mason missed the final five weeks of his 2024 breakout season with a high-ankle injury, but there hasn't been any report of surgery or a prolonged rehab process this offseason.
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Vikings' Jordan Mason: Traded to Minnesota
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The 49ers traded Mason (ankle) to the Vikings on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The 49ers placed a second-round tender worth $5.3 million on Mason when free agency began, but he'll now be shipped out along with the No. 187 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft in exchange for the No. 160 pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick, per David Lombardi of SFStandard.com. Mason will receive a two-year contract with the Vikings that's worth up to $12 million and includes $7 million guaranteed. Mason served as the 49ers' starting running back for the first half of the 2024 regular season due to Christian McCaffrey being sidelined with Achilles injuries. Through the first eight games of the regular season, Mason rushed for 685 yards and three touchdowns on 134 carries while adding 10 catches (on 12 targets) for 86 yards, though he missed the final five games due to a high-ankle sprain. Ty Chandler was slated to be the Vikings' backup running back, but Mason's addition is an upgrade to the backfield led by Aaron Jones, who agreed to a two-year contract with Minneosta on March 9.
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49ers' Jordan Mason: Gets second-round tender
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The 49ers are giving Mason (ankle) a second-round restricted free agent tender, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
It's a bit surprising to see Mason get a tender for over $5 million after his hot start to 2024 tailed off. The 49ers were in a tough spot, as an original-round tender would've cost about $2 million less but wouldn't have provided any draft compensation if they declined to match an offer sheet from another team, as the running back was undrafted originally. In any case, the 49ers don't necessarily have to keep Mason on the tender; they can use it as a bridge to a multi-year contract or a trade. If he does stay in San Francisco, he'll likely be the No. 2 running back behind Christian McCaffrey, although Isaac Guerendo is capable of pushing for the role. Mason missed the final five weeks of the 2024 season with a high-ankle sprain, but there hasn't been any report of surgery or a prolonged recovery/rehab process.
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49ers' Jordan Mason: Drawing trade interest
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Mason (ankle) is drawing trade interest, David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard reports.
Mason is set to hit restricted free agency this offseason, so the 49ers have contractual control over the running back for at least one more season. Lombardi believes San Francisco could tender Mason and then entertain trading him. With Christian McCaffrey battling an Achilles issue much of the year, Mason had a breakout 2024 season, rushing 153 times for 789 yards (5.2 YPC) and three touchdowns. He missed the final five games of the season with an ankle injury, and the 49ers have Isaac Guerendo as a younger and cheaper backup option behind McCaffrey.
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49ers' Jordan Mason: Now officially on IR
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Mason (ankle) was officially placed on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
It was announced earlier in the week Mason would be placed on injured reserve, but the team waited to officially make that move until the end of the week. Isaac Guerendo will get the first crack at filling in for both Mason and Christian McCaffrey (knee), who was also placed on injured reserve following his Week 13 injury, but pass-catching specialist Patrick Taylor also figures to have some role too. San Francisco plucked a couple of known names to at minimum operate as depth given the myriad of injuries to its running backs, with Israel Abanikanda and practice-squad callup Ke'Shawn Vaughn joining the team earlier this week.
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49ers' Jordan Mason: Headed for IR with sprained ankle
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The 49ers are expected to place Mason on injured reserve this week after he suffered a high-ankle sprain late in Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
After Christian McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury to his right knee in the first half, Mason took on a larger offensive role versus Buffalo, finishing with 13 carries for 78 yards. Though he would have been in position to lead the San Francisco backfield for the rest of the season with McCaffrey's injury expected to require a six-week recovery, Mason is instead on track to join McCaffrey and IR and won't be eligible for activation until Week 18. With Mason and McCaffrey set to miss time, rookie Isaac Guerendo is now in line to take over as the 49ers' lead back beginning with this Sunday's game against the Bears. Patrick Taylor likely will be promoted from the practice squad to serve as the Niners' backup running back over the next month.
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49ers' Jordan Mason: Takes over for injured starter
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Mason took 13 carries for 78 yards and received no targets in Sunday's 35-10 loss to Buffalo.
Mason saw a spike in carries in Sunday's blowout loss after starter Christian McCaffrey (knee) limped off the field at halftime and did not return. The capable backup looked the part in a run-heavy game plan dictated by snowy conditions. McCaffrey's status will be clarified as the practice week progresses, but savvy fantasy managers should already be putting claims in for Mason after the work he put in as fill-in starter earlier this year. It is worth mentioning that Mason also left Sunday's contest to be evaluated for a concussion, but he was subsequently cleared and finished without issue, according to 49ers team reporter Lindsey Lares.
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49ers' Jordan Mason: Receives four touches Sunday
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Mason rushed three times for eight yards with one reception (two targets) for five yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to Green Bay.
Mason wound up logging nine snaps on offense (18 percent) in order to earn his four combined touches Sunday. San Francisco's backup has received just six carries over the three games that starter Christian McCaffrey has been active for. With such little usage, Mason remains a non-factor in fantasy ahead of next Sunday's tilt at Buffalo.
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49ers' Jordan Mason: One carry with CMC back
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Mason (shoulder) had one carry for five yards in Sunday's 23-20 win over the Buccaneers.
Mason was able to recover from a shoulder injury over San Francisco's bye week in order to suit up against Tampa Bay. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, the first-half star was relegated to his usual backup role with Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) making his season debut off of injured reserve. This resulted in Mason assuming his regular low-usage role Sunday, a trend that should continue now that McCaffrey is back atop the depth chart. Mason can safely be dropped in standard formats as we look towards Week 11.
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49ers' Jordan Mason: Sleeper RBs
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Mason is worth using as a flex in Week 10 at Tampa Bay, even with Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) expected to play. McCaffrey might have a limited workload in his 2024 debut, which could mean 10-15 total touches for Mason. And it's a good matchup since the Buccaneers have allowed six running backs to score at least 13.5 PPR points against them in the past four games.
