The 49ers' running-back depth chart makes no sense.
Christian McCaffrey is the starter -- that makes sense. But the No. 2 running back is Elijah Mitchell, who's averaging 2.4 yards per carry, while the No. 3 running back is Jordan Mason, who's averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Which means Mason is more than doubling Mitchell's output. And yet Mitchell has 12 carries in the past three games while Mason has zero.
So I asked Kyle Shanahan about his running backs on Friday. I asked him what Mason needs to do to earn Shanahan's trust. Because to me, if a running back is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and not getting the ball, the coach must not trust him.
Shanahan bristled at the word trust. Insisted his decision had nothing to do with that. Said he doesn't look at stats and that Mitchell has done some good things for the 49ers, and left it at that.
With all due respect, I don't buy Shanahan's explanation. Of course he looks at stats. And Mason's are much better than Mitchell's this season. Playing Mitchell because of what he did in past seasons makes no sense.
My guess is Shanahan worries Mason will fumble the ball, because he did in training camp and preseason. As opposed to Mitchell, who never has fumbled in the NFL or college. Otherwise, there's no good reason to continue giving Mitchell carries when Mason could take them.
Keep in mind, Mason never has fumbled in a regular season game. Shanahan needs to trust him and get him the ball.
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