4 heroes to salute from 49ers' dominant Week 1 win vs. Jets

3. Running back Jordan Mason

With no disrespect to wide receiver Deebo Samuel, the 49ers' second-best rusher, third-year running back Jordan Mason stepped up huge as the premiere back for San Francisco in Christian McCaffrey's absence. Mason became a major hero for not only the run game but the offense as a whole.

Mason carried the ball 28 times and accumulated 147 yards while scoring the first points of the second half by either team. He also averaged 5.7 yards per attempt on Monday night.

With Elijah Mitchell already ruled out for the year with a hamstring issue, and rookie Isaac Guerendo recovering from his own injury, Mason stepped up big time. His largest gain on the ground was a 24-yard run.

His efforts led to the Niners offense's ability to move the chains and help put points on the scoreboard, something that San Francisco grew accustomed to last season as one of the league's best offenses.

Long term, the 49ers need McCaffrey. However, tonight, the Niners flexed their depth and were able to turn in one of the opening week's best running back performances, thanks to Mason.