SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The 49ers were without star running back Christian McCaffrey for Monday night's game against the Jets, but that didn't matter.
McCaffrey's absence was announced before the game. The 28-year-old had missed four weeks of training camp with a calf injury but returned to practice and was expected to play.
Despite McCaffrey's absence, the 49ers defeated the Jets, 32-19. The 49ers had 180 rushing yards, 147 of which came from backup Jordan Mason.
“They beat us up front, hands down,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said.
The 49ers surprised some this week when they announced that McCaffrey had a calf/Achilles injury, but McCaffrey told reporters on Friday that his calf is “much better” and that his Achilles is “not a concern.”
McCaffrey said he had no doubt he'd play against the Jets. Mason made his first career start in place of McCaffrey, who was the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year and the team's rushing leader.
McCaffrey rushed 272 times for 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns, and also had 564 yards and seven touchdowns receiving.
The Jets have talked all week about preparing for McCaffrey, and while the 49ers have plenty of talented offensive players, McCaffrey is San Francisco's unquestioned best weapon.
There was a strange turn of events in the second quarter when cornerback Sauce Gardner was on the sideline for nine plays. Gardner was on the sideline with his helmet on, but the Jets said it wasn't due to an injury. After the game, both Saleh and Gardner said Gardner was just trying to catch his breath, which seemed like a strange explanation.
“It was a tackle I made so I just had to pick myself up,” Gardner said. “I felt OK so I got back on the field.”
Cornerback Michael Carter II left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury just days after the Jets signed him to a three-year contract extension. Saleh said Carter could have returned to the game, but the Jets are being cautious. Saleh said Carter's injury during training camp was a high ankle sprain and could be a lingering injury.
“He's going to have to deal with this all year,” Saleh said.
The Jets promoted OL Jake Hanson and LB Sam Eguavoyen from the practice squad to the active roster before Monday night's game. They also promoted TE Anthony Firkser and DE Jalyn Holmes from the practice squad. LB Zaire Barnes was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least four games. The Jets also signed RB Kene Nwangwu to the practice squad. … The Jets' inactive roster includes RB Israel Abani-Kanda, CB Jarick Bernard-Converse, DE Eric Watts, OT Max Mitchell, OT Carter Warren, TE Brenden Bates and DT Leonard Taylor. … Frank Gore, who played for the Jets in 2020, was an honorary captain for the 49ers.
