Jordan Mason, Top Fantasy RB Waiver-Wire Options amid Christian McCaffrey Injury

The San Francisco 49ers will be without the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year for several weeks, as All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve due to calf tightness as well as Achilles tendinitis.

McCaffrey will be sidelined for at least four games following the move, meaning that his earliest chance to return will be against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 10.

The 28-year-old's upcoming absences are also a tough blow for fantasy managers, as he finished as the No. 1 running back in both standard and PPR leagues in 2023.

While it may be difficult to find a replacement on waivers, there are still several intriguing options for managers to explore before McCaffrey can return.

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Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Mason filled in for McCaffrey during San Francisco's Week 1 win over the New York Jets and exceeded expectations.

He was a featured part of the 49ers' offense, racking up a career-high 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. He also added one catch for five yards.

San Francisco's offense has been centered around the run game under head coach Kyle Shanahan, as McCaffrey's 272 carries in 2023 ranked No. 2 among all players in the NFL. Following his breakout game against the Jets, it's fair to assume that Mason will remain a staple of the 49ers' offense until the three-time Pro Bowl tailback is able to return.

Mason is still available in 49.1 percent of Half-PPR fantasy leagues.

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Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Chandler is squarely behind Aaron Jones on the Vikings' depth chart, but he could provide value in PPR leagues as he appears to be in line for a larger role in his third season.

The 26-year-old picked up just 17 yards on eight rush attempts during a 28-6 win over the New York Giants, but he caught three passes for 25 yards.

Chandler finished the 2023 season strong, racking up 258 yards and two touchdowns throughout his final four appearances.

He appeared in 35 percent of the Vikings' Week 1 offensive snaps after he was on the field for 27 percent of them last season. Jones registered 55 percent of the team's snaps, but it would represent his second-lowest mark since 2019 over the course of a full season.

Chandler is available in 48 percent of ESPN leagues and 71 percent of Yahoo leagues.

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Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Similar to Chandler, Hill should be on the radar of managers in PPR leagues. The 26-year-old was on the field more than prized free-agent addition Derrick Henry in Week 1, although he rushed for just three yards on one attempt.

Hill was primarily utilized on passing downs, blocking for Lamar Jackson and hauling in a few receptions of his own. During the Ravens' 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, he caught six passes for 52 yards.

Adding Hill could be risky as Baltimore will likely lean on Henry more often as the season progresses, especially when the team is able to jump out to an early lead.

However, he might be able to replace some of the production in the pass game that McCaffrey typically provides.

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Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos

McLaughlin will be splitting carries in the backfield with Javonte Williams throughout the season, but the 24-year-old saw a larger role in Week 1.

McLaughin recorded 10 carries, while Williams rushed the ball eight times. The two running backs combined for just 50 total yards, but McLaughlin's involvement as a receiver is promising.

Even though he gained just one total receiving yard, it's worth noting that he was targeted five times. Over his final four appearances in 2023, McLaughlin caught nine passes for 64 yards.

As rookie signal-caller Bo Nix grows more comfortable as he progresses through his inaugural season, McLaughlin's target share may continue to rise.

He's currently available in 64 percent of Yahoo fantasy leagues and 59 percent of ESPN leagues.