While the holders of the No. 1 pick in fantasy-football leagues across the nation felt the absence of San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey during Week 1 of the NFL’s 2024 season, the 49ers did not.
With McCaffrey sidelined by calf and Achilles injuries, running back Jordan Mason had 147 yards and one touchdown on 28 carries in his first NFL start as San Francisco defeated the New York Jets 32-19 on Monday night.
The outcome spoiled the return of Aaron Rodgers as the New York quarterback. The Jets traded for the four-time NFL MVP last season, but he sustained a season-ending injury on New York’s fourth snap of the 2023 campaign.
Rodgers didn’t make it all the way through the 2024 opener either: With the Jets trailing by 19 points with four minutes to play, New York coach Robert Saleh let backup Tyrod Taylor finish the game.
Rodgers completed 13-of-21 passes for 167 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Allen Lazard with 1:39 left in the third quarter.
Four players from Alabama high schools and college played in the New York-San Francisco game:
· Jets safety Jaylen Key (UAB/Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
· Forty-Niners cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. (South Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive.
· C.J. Mosley (Theodore, Alabama) started at linebacker for the Jets. Mosley made nine tackles.
· Jamien Sherwood (Auburn) started at linebacker for the Jets. Sherwood made three tackles on defense and one tackle on special teams.
· Quincy Williams (Wenonah) started at linebacker for the Jets. Williams made six tackles and broke up one pass.
· Quinnen Williams (Wenonah, Alabama) started at defensive tackle for the Jets. Williams made three tackles and registered one quarterback hit.
New York plays the Tennessee Titans at noon CDT Sunday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. San Francisco plays the Minnesota Vikings at noon Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams tries to reach San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy during an NFL game on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
