NFL analyst floats underrated trade idea following Jordan Mason injury

In the first half of their Monday Night Football tilt with the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers jumped out to a quick advantage. Between all three phases, it was all Niners.

In the middle of the second quarter, though, San Francisco saw something happen that looked oh, too familiar -- a running back injury.

Jordan Mason had carried eight times for 65 yards, already, before he went down. He was quickly helped off the field and back into the locker room. In his place, rookie Isaac Guerendo was inserted right away and the Niners began using both he and Deebo Samuel out of the back field.

Watching Mason get hurt was difficult, but it didn't seem too serious after all. He did come back out onto the field before halftime, putting fans' nerves at rest.

Still, one NFL analyst posted an idea that seems like quite the tantalizing scenario for San Francisco, in order to shore up the depth at a position they've been decimated at.

The initial post looks like that of a bad dream, but it is indeed their reality. Without Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell and now watching Mason go down, Guerendo is the next (fourth) man up.

Khalil Herbert would be a cheap trade target to replace Jordan Mason

For those who aren't familiar with him, Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert is on the last year of his contract with the team and is currently being phased out of the offense. Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has used D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson as their one-two punch.

Meanwhile, Herbert has only eight carries on the season. We are talking about a 26-year-old running back who averages 4.8 yards per carry over his career with the Bears who, by the way, haven't exactly been known for stellar offensive line play.

Over the course of the 2022 season, Herbert rushed for 731 yards and averaged a whopping 5.7 yards per tote while doing so. In his first three seasons with the Bears, Herbert ran for 1,775 yards and was an efficient back who also caught 43 passes during that time span.

A running back who can average that kind of chunk per carry would be a perfect fit within Kyle Shanahan's offense. He's already good between the tackles and knows how to play through contact, but with Shanahan's scheme and creativity, Herbert would find even more lanes.

Whether or not Mason's injury turns the serious manner in coming days, Herbert is well-worth a late Day 3 pick for San Francisco. This is the kind of move championship teams make and John Lynch shouldn't blink at the chance to make this deal if the opportunity arises.