Jordan Mason had a night to remember as the San Francisco 49ers crushed the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
Starting at running back in place of Christian McCaffrey, who was a late surprise inactive having been limited in practice all week, Mason racked up 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries as the Niners dominated on the ground.
But the third-year former undrafted free agent might have put the 49ers in hot water.
Asked by ESPN’s Lisa Salters when he learned he was going to start, Mason replied: “Maybe Friday night.”
That claim by Mason could lead the NFL to demand an explanation from the Niners, who listed McCaffrey as “questionable” on the final practice report on Saturday.
Mason’s answer was immediately contradicted by head coach Kyle Shanahan, who described McCaffrey as a “game-time decision” following a discussion about his calf/Achilles injury earlier in the day.
“Thought it was going to be smart to keep him out, glad we did,” Shanahan said in his postgame press conference.