While the holders of the No. 1 pick in fantasy football leagues across the country felt the absence of San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey in the first week of the 2024 NFL season, the 49ers did not.
With McCaffrey sidelined by calf and Achilles tendon injuries, running back Jordan Mason rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 attempts in his first NFL appearance as San Francisco beat the New York Jets 32-19 on Monday night.
The result spoiled Aaron Rodgers’ return as New York’s quarterback. The Jets signed the four-time NFL MVP last season, but he suffered a season-ending injury on New York’s fourth snap of the 2023 season.
Rodgers didn’t quite make it through the 2024 season opener either: When the Jets were trailing by 19 points with four minutes to go, New York coach Robert Saleh let substitute 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 high schools and colleges in Alabama participated in the New York-San Francisco game:
· Jets safety Jaylen Key (UAB/Alabama) is on the practice squad and is not eligible to play.
· Forty-Niners cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. (South Alabama) was designated as game day inactive.
· CJ 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 defended one pass.
· Quinnen Williams (Wenonah, Alabama) started at defensive tackle for the Jets. Williams made three tackles and recorded a quarterback hit.
New York plays the Tennessee Titans at 12:00 p.m. CDT on Sunday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. San Francisco plays the Minnesota Vikings at 12:00 p.m. CDT on 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, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
