49ers News: Ricky Pearsall Returns; Christian McCaffrey needs 2-3 weeks

The San Francisco 49ers lost the league's leading rusher about a quarter and a half into Thursday night's game against the Seattle Seahawks. Running back Jordan Mason left the game early due to a shoulder injury.

Mason returned at the start of the second half, where he carried the ball from scrimmage on the first play of the game. But he ran from the field and did not return. The side cameras panned several times to Mason, where he was seen trying in vain to loosen his shoulder.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Mason “went back and it just hurt him too much.” Shanahan added that Mason thought he would be fine and could have even played in the second half if it had been an emergency situation.

The 49ers will learn more about Mason's injury sometime this afternoon, as he is scheduled to undergo an X-ray on Friday. Shanahan clarified that just because Mason believed he could go back in doesn't mean his injury was minor: “The adrenaline during these games is a little different.”

Mason was on pace to reach 100 receiving yards and might have surpassed his season high from Week 1 had he played a complete game. Mason finished the game with 73 yards on nine carries, including a 38-yard gain. Isaac Guerendo's 76-yard run late in the game makes some think that anyone can do what Mason did, but that's simply not true.

If Mason were to ever make a mistake, it would be a major setback for an offense that already lacks a running back.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer had an update on Christian McCaffrey and whether his schedule has changed:

“When he was feeling like himself in August, they upgraded him to the first game against the Jets. Ultimately, his Achilles flared up. After the opener, they finally closed it.

He just started feeling like himself last week, so they started training him in the last few days. The good news is that there has been no recovery. There were no setbacks. He feels good, so the Niners are optimistic about where he is. But this is a scary deal for him. He is determined to play this year. I would say that the two or three weeks are crucial.

Breer said first-round rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was close to being ready this week, but the 49ers decided to play it safe. Kyle Shanahan said the team decided against opening Pearsall's window because the team would not practice until this week.