49ers' Jordan Mason: Could push Elijah Mitchell

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.

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.