Tue Sep 10 16:03:04 UTC 2024: ## 49ers Dominate Jets Despite McCaffrey Absence, Proving Depth is Key

**San Francisco, CA -** The San Francisco 49ers opened their season with a convincing 32-19 victory over the New York Jets, proving they can win even without their star running back Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey was sidelined with a calf strain, but the 49ers’ depth shone through as undrafted running back Jordan Mason stepped up with a career-high 147 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Mason, who was third on the depth chart entering training camp, seized the opportunity after injuries sidelined other running backs. “Not having Christian is huge, but we have a team that really commits to running the ball,” said head coach Kyle Shanahan. “We have 10 guys out there who block for whoever the running back is.”

The 49ers, considered a Super Bowl contender, showed their strength in their ability to overcome the absence of key players. “The only positive with Christian not playing tonight is we just ran outside zone all day,” said tight end George Kittle. “They switched to five down linemen, and they still couldn’t handle it. I love that type of football.”

While McCaffrey’s absence was notable, the 49ers’ offensive line, led by Trent Williams, held strong. Williams, who recently signed a lucrative contract extension, played 70 of 72 snaps on offense, allowing zero pressures on 33 pass-blocking snaps.

On the defensive side, the 49ers’ additions of Maliek Collins, Leonard Floyd, and De’Vondre Campbell made an immediate impact. They held the Jets to just 68 rushing yards.

Quarterback Brock Purdy, despite some concerns during training camp, had an efficient game, throwing for 231 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

The 49ers’ convincing win over a fellow contender like the Jets showed they can withstand injuries and still compete at a high level. “All we preached the entire week and a lot of the offseason was just focus on one game at a time,” said Kittle. “That’s all that we can focus on, because if you look down the line at the lofty goals and expectations, there’s distractions.”

The 49ers seem ready to handle any challenges that come their way as they pursue their sixth Super Bowl title.

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