Analysis

Mason followed up his impressive Week 1 fantasy performance (28/147/1) with another game of 100-plus rushing yards and his second touchdown of the season. Savvy fantasy managers who snagged Mason when starter Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) and backup Elijah Mitchell (knee) were ruled out prior to last week's win over the Jets have been rewarded handsomely. What appeared to be a hot short-term add is beginning to look like an league-changing acquisition after the aforementioned CMC was placed on injured reserve prior to Sunday's defeat (Week 7 earliest potential return). Mitchell has been ruled out for the entire year, so Mason is set to occupy the lead role in Kyle Shanahan's vaunted zone-run offense for roughly the first half of the fantasy campaign. It would behoove GMs in all fantasy formats to make sure that the Georgia Tech product is not lingering on their league's waiver wire ahead of Sunday's tilt against the Rams.

Analysis

With Elijah Mitchell out for the season and McCaffrey out until at least Week 6, the San Francisco backfield looks like it'll belong to Mason, who carried 28 times for 147 yards and a touchdown while adding a five-yard reception in the 49ers' Week 1 win over the Jets. Receiver Deebo Samuel (eight carries in Week 1) is also likely to see more involvement on the ground in McCaffrey's absence, while rookie Isaac Guerendo could also become more of a factor in a change-of-pace role once he's further removed from the hamstring and groin injuries that cost him considerable time during training camp and the preseason. Mason has probably already been rostered in most competitive leagues, but managers in shallower leagues should take a peak at the waiver wire in case he's still available.

Analysis

Coach Kyle Shanahan relayed Friday that San Francisco is considering an IR stint for McCaffrey due to the Achilles tendinitis that is plaguing him at the moment. Shanahan also noted that Thursday's practice was the worst for McCaffrey so far in terms of pain, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. The 49ers have yet to make a decision on McCaffrey past this weekend, but Mason at the very least will start Sunday on the heels of 29 touches for 152 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD in the Week 1 win against the Jets. Meanwhile, Deebo Samuel figures to be in the backfield mix as well after handling eight carries Monday night.

Analysis

Mason filled in for injured starter Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) in Monday's season opener and took full advantage of the opportunity with a career night against a talented defensive unit. The Georgia Tech product couldn't replicate CMC's receiving production, but he averaged 5.3 yards per attempt as a rusher while finishing with the highest fantasy score for San Francisco in the team's first win of the regular season. McCaffrey's absence seems to be a precautionary move by the team, so Mason's big fantasy day may be short lived. It wouldn't hurt to make sure the power back is rostered ahead of this weekend's tilt against Minnesota.

Analysis

Mason will step in for McCaffrey for at least one game due to the calf/Achilles injury that has plagued the latter since early August. In 33 regular-season games in his two-year career, Mason has averaged 5.6 YPC on 83 rushes, hauled in three of four targets for 31 yards and scored four rushing TDs. Elsewhere in the backfield, Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor are the 49ers' other available options.

Analysis

Reports of Mason challenging Mitchell for the second spot on the depth chart actually predate Mitchell's injury troubles this summer, with the Niners apparently impressed by Mason's combination of size (5-foot-11, 223 pounds) and passing-down skills. He's no match for Mitchell in terms of speed, but that may not matter much for fantasy if Mason ever finds himself in the starting lineup under coach Kyle Shanahan. While Christian McCaffrey (calf) seems to be on track for Week 1 against the Jets, there's always considerable injury risk for a running back that piles up snaps and touches the way CMC does. While unlikely to have standalone value while McCaffrey is healthy, Mason is one of the more valuable backup RBs to stash on a fantasy bench -- and he should remain so unless rookie fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo makes a push up the depth chart after missing most of the summer with a hamstring injury.

Analysis

Mason returned from a minor hip issue that cost him the 49ers' previous preseason game. The 25-year-old started the contest with Christian McCaffrey (calf) and Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) sitting out with minor injuries. This is the second strong showing from Mason this preseason, as the veteran backup continues to build a case to challenge Mitchell's status at No. 2 on the RB depth chart. This will be McCaffrey's show once the regular season kicks off, but Mason is a name to remember in the event the starter is unable to go at any point this year.

Analysis

Mason missed last Sunday's preseason game against the Saints due to hip soreness, but his return to practice could set the stage for him to play in Friday's exhibition finale versus the Raiders. Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) also resumed practicing Wednesday, and Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) did so Tuesday, so San Francisco's backfield suddenly looks healthy behind top back Christian McCaffrey (calf), who remains on track for Week 1.

Analysis

The team doesn't sound overly concerned with Mason's injury, as he appears healthier than the team's other top running backs at the moment, but he got the night off Sunday nonetheless. Mason's next chance to take the field will come in Friday's preseason finale against the Raiders.