The best RBs can get hurt at any time, just as the best handcuffs can be replaced at any time.
Jordan Mason has dominated since taking over for an injured CMC. With McCaffrey's return looming, last night appeared to be (possibly) Jordan Mason's final start, at least for now. Once again, he ran brilliantly. But an injured shoulder just before halftime opened the door for rookie Isaac Guerendo. He and Patrick Taylor had six touches apiece in the second half, compared to only one for Mason (on the first offensive play of the second half). 34-year-old fullback Kyle Juszczyk had the other four.
Of course, Juszczyk is merely an occasional spoiler. The bigger story is Guerendo, who was the fastest RB at this year's rookie Combine. After getting contained most of the evening, he broke through with a 76-yard run, getting tackled about two strides short of the end zone.
As of this writing (right at the end of the game), it's unclear how serious Mason's injury is. Regardless, Guerendo probably isn't going anywhere. It's easy to ride the hot hand (Mason). But when the hot hand gets hurt, as we've seen so many times over the years, a new hot hand can emerge. While one great run doesn't negate the rookie's mere 23 yards on his other nine carries, he showed enough to merit continued usage. It's an unfortunate development for those who started Mason, and who hope he'll remain a spot-start lottery ticket. For now, let's see how much run Guerendo gets when he and Mason and CMC are all active.
Elsewhere for San Francisco, Brock Purdy got back on track, as expected. I also wrote yesterday about the ever-changing combinations of big-time receiver performances. Last night it was Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, rending Brandon Aiyuk (and Jauan Jennings) worthless. Those first three are seemingly in the "must-start-and-hope" category: hard to bench them, and also hard to trust their floor.
For Seattle, few things hurt offensive production more than a kickoff return for a touchdown. It happened in the third quarter, effectively keeping their playmakers off the field for nearly eight minutes. In fact, the Seahawks were on offense for only 11 of the first 38 minutes. How can Kenneth Walker, DK Metcalf, JSN, and/or Tyler Lockett get going with so few opportunities?
Fortunately catch-up mode was kind to Lockett, who keeps exceeding my expectations. Noah Fant had his best game in ages. JSN mustered a half-decent 10.3 points. Kenneth Walker bailed himself out thanks to eight catches and a score. Metcalf was the most disappointing despite netting a team-high 11 targets. And Geno threw another 52 passes, and he's easily on track to finish the year with the league's most throws. 700 is doable. If you're wondering whether to buy low on JSN or relatively low on Metcalf, I would do both, on the assumption they'll continue getting significant looks.
And congrats to Chris Cantwell for predicting a 34-24 Niners victory, making him the most accurate prognosticator for TNF Week 6. Well deserved, because if I wrote "not deserved," there would be a well-deserved mutiny.
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