Mason (hip) took eight carries for 42 yards and a touchdown in Friday's preseason finale against the Raiders.

EDGE Analysis

Mason returned from a minor hip issue that cost him the 49ers' previous preseason game. The 25-year-old started the contest with Christian McCaffrey (calf) and Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) sitting out with minor injuries. This is the second strong showing from Mason this preseason, as the veteran backup continues to build a case to challenge Mitchell's status at No. 2 on the RB depth chart. This will be McCaffrey's show once the regular season kicks off, but Mason is a name to remember in the event the starter is unable to go at any point this year.

Mason (hip) is participating in Wednesday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mason missed last Sunday's preseason game against the Saints due to hip soreness, but he's now managed to retake the practice field. Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) also resumed practicing Wednesday, and Isaac Guerendo did so Tuesday, so San Francisco's backfield suddenly looks healthy behind top RB Christian McCaffrey (calf), who remains on track for Week 1.

Coach Kyle Shanahan clarified after Sunday's 16-10 preseason win over the Saints that Mason sat out due to hip soreness Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

The team doesn't sound overly concerned with Mason's injury, as he appears healthier than the team's other top running backs at the moment, but he got the night off Sunday nonetheless. Mason's next chance to take the field will come in Friday's preseason finale against the Raiders.

Mason (undisclosed) won't play in Sunday's preseason game against the Saints, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mason is dealing with what is being described as a minor injury. The 49ers are thin at running back with Christian McCaffrey (calf), Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) and Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) all banged up as well, leaving more opportunities for Patrick Taylor, Matt Breida, Cody Schrader and Ke'Shawn Vaughn.

Mason rushed six times for 34 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's preseason tilt against the Titans.

EDGE Analysis

Unquestioned starter Christian McCaffrey (calf) sat out Saturday's preseason opener along with the rest of San Francisco's star players, affording Mason the opportunity to start the team's exhibition opener against Tennessee. The 25-year-old was featured heavily on the 49ers' opening drive and wound up scoring the only first-half touchdown for his club. Mason's strong start to the preseason schedule has the running back in a position to seize the primary backup role behind CMC with Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) and rookie Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) both missing Saturday's contest to injury.

Mason is getting regular first-team reps while Christian McCaffrey (calf) and Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) recover from injuries, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

The opportunity is particularly interesting because there were reports of Mason challenging Mitchell for the second spot on the depth chart even before Mitchell and McCaffrey suffered their respective injuries. Mitchell's speed and running ability are proven commodities, but Mason may have advantages in terms of pass blocking and receiving skills, and nearly any player has the edge over Mitchell when it comes to durability. Maiocco notes that Mason has "greatly improved" his route-running and hands, making a case to be more involved on offense after taking nearly three-fourths of his snaps on special teams the past two years. That said, the injuries to McCaffrey and Mitchell aren't considered serious, so it's still possible Mason enters Week 1 mostly playing special teams. The San Francisco backfield also has rookie fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo, who has missed all of training camp with a hamstring injury.

Mason has made a strong impression on coach Kyle Shanahan this summer and could challenge Elijah Mitchell for the No. 2 RB role, Jordan Elliott of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mason initially made the team as an undrafted rookie in 2022 and has since seen action in 33 of 34 regular-season games, logging 181 snaps on offense and 494 on special teams. He's thus far remained behind Mitchell when both have been healthy, but it's possible the Niners would prefer Mason in the backup role due to his advantages in size (5-foot-11, 223 pounds), durability and blocking. Mitchell is much faster but also smaller (5-foot-10, 200 pounds), and he has nearly as many missed games (24) as receptions (28) through three NFL seasons. The addition of rookie fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) means a trade could even be in play, with Mitchell being the main candidate as he heads into the final season of his rookie contract. Of course, none of them will play much on offense unless Christian McCaffrey misses time with an injury.

Mason took six carries for 36 yards and caught his only target for 12 yards in Sunday's 21-20 loss to the Rams.

EDGE Analysis

MVP hopeful Christian McCaffrey (calf) was rested Week 18, so primary backup Elijah Mitchell started Sunday's tilt. Mason wound up logging 27 snaps on offense (44 percent) to Mitchell's 32 (52 percent). While both tailbacks nearly split McCaffrey's playing time Sunday, Mitchell (14-52-1) wound up having more plays executed for him and also nabbed the only touchdown the backfield duo would produce in the loss. Mason wraps up the 2023 campaign with numbers (40-206-3) similar to his rookie year (43-258-1) while also serving as one of the 49ers' top coverage men on special teams.

Mason could get significant playing time at running back Sunday against the Rams, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mason has mostly played special teams this season,, sitting behind Christian McCaffrey (calf) and Elijah Mitchell on the depth chart for offense when the latter two backs have both been healthy. Week 18 may be another story, however, as the Niners have locked up the top playoff seed in the NFC and won't have McCaffrey available for their final regular-season game. The calf injury McCaffrey suffered Week 17 might also make the team more cautious with his top backup, Mitchell, who has a lengthy injury history of his own. It thus won't come as any surprise if Mason and/or practice-squad member Tyrion Davis-Price ends up leading the ground attack this Sunday against the Rams.

Mason had two carries for three yards and was not targeted as a receiver in Sunday's 27-10 win over Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Mason was relegated to third on San Francisco's RB depth chart following the return of Elijah Mitchell (knee) on Sunday. The latter wound up posting a strong rushing line (17-80-1) against the Commanders in relief of Christian McCaffrey (calf). CMC's injury is currently considered minor, but the MVP candidate could still sit out Week 18 with the 49ers already locking up the No. 1 seed in the NFC. In that scenario Mason would slide into the No. 2 role with Mitchell likely serving as the team's lead back to close out the regular season against the Rams.