Analysis

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.

Analysis

In the wake of the 49ers' Week 13 loss at Buffalo, the 49ers lost their top two running backs for the foreseeable future: Christian McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury in his right knee and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, while Mason was expected to join him on IR due to a high-ankle sprain. The transaction for Mason has yet to be made but likely will happen by Saturday afternoon. With both players out Sunday, Isaac Guerendo is in line to lead San Francisco's backfield, while Patrick Taylor, Israel Abanikanda and practice-squad member Ke'Shawn Vaughn are the candidates to fill in behind him.

Analysis

Head coach Kyle Shanahan previously said Monday that Mason is headed to injured reserve due to the high-ankle sprain he suffered late in Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills. While the transaction has yet to be made, Shanahan reiterated Wednesday that a trip to IR is still likely for Mason, according to David Lombardi of SFStandard.com. The 49ers are set to move forward with a backfield led by rookie Isaac Guerendo, with waiver pickup Israel Abanikanda offering a depth option behind him. The 49ers are also likely to elevate one or both of Patrick Taylor and Ke'Shawn Vaughn from the practice squad ahead of this Sunday's game against the Bears.

Analysis

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.

Analysis

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.

Analysis

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.

Analysis

Mason saw one less snap on offense than he did a week prior for Christian McCaffrey's return to the lineup, but the backup wound up receiving one additional carry against the Seahawks. The 25-year-old Mason also muffed a kickoff return attempt that careened off his chest, but the long-time special teams gunner fixed his own faux pas by diving to swat the ball out of bounds before Seattle could gain possession. In the scope of fantasy football, Mason's current role spelling CMC for a play or two does not carry much value heading into next Sunday's road tilt against Green Bay.

Analysis

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 due to 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 some formats as we look toward Week 11.

Analysis

Coming out of a bye week, Mason was a full practice participant Wednesday and Friday, sandwiched around a limited session Thursday. His time as a prime fantasy asset nonetheless seems to be nearing an end, with coach Kyle Shanahan saying Friday that only an unexpected late setback would prevent running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) from playing this Sunday. Mason may still get some snaps and touches but won't dominate carries the way he did for much of the past two months.