There were no surprises for the Jets’ seven inactive players for Monday night’s season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, but there was a big surprise for the home team.
49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, who had been questionable with calf and Achilles issues, was deemed not fit to play and was inactive.
The reigning Offensive Player of the Year – who led the NFL with his 1,459 yards rushing and 2,023 yards from scrimmage and tallied 21 all-purpose touchdowns – tested out the injury earlier on Monday, but the team decided not to risk him further aggravating the injury.
The inactive list for Gang Green: running back Israel Abanikanda, tight end Brenden Bates, offensive lineman Max Mitchell, offensive tackle Carter Warren, defensive end Eric Watts, defensive tackle Leonard Taylor and cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse.
San Francisco’s other inactive players contained no surprises: quarterback Josh Dobbs, offensive lineman Ben Bartch, defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos, linebacker Dee Winters, defensive back Talanoa Hufanga and corner Darrell Luter Jr.
With McCaffrey absent, Jordan Mason gets the start at running back with Patrick Taylor Jr. and Isaac Guerendo serving as his deputies.