Sports
49ers beat Jets as Jordan Mason steps up in place of injured Christian McCaffrey
The San Francisco 49ers shockingly saw Christian McCaffrey, their star running back, inactive on Monday night against the New York Jets.
But his backup, Jordan Mason, did not disappoint in his first career start, as he helped lead his squad to a 32-19 win to start off the season on the right foot.
All eyes were on Aaron Rodgers making his return to an NFL field after suffering an Achilles tear on the fourth play of the Jets’ “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1.
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) runs during the second quarter against the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium. (David Gonzales-Imagn Images)
But, while Rodgers had his first career touchdown pass in this game, it was Mason who stole the spotlight on his home turf at Levi’s Stadium. Mason scored his first career touchdown as a starter, and rushed for a career-high 147 yards on 28 carries.
The Jets’ stingy defense from 2023 was not there when the ball was in Mason’s hands, as he set the tone early on.
After the Jets scored the game’s first touchdown – a three-yard rush from Breece Hall on a 12-play drive – Mason started to get going on the team’s fourth drive. San Fran was able to convert on two field goal attempts by Jake Moody, including one after the Jets’ touchdown to make it 7-6, but Mason got going with four straight run plays that ultimately opened a lot up for quarterback Brock Purdy.
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Mason appeared to score the team’s first touchdown of the year, but Deebo Samuel was called for offensive holding on the drive. In fact, it was Samuel a few plays later who took a jet sweep and ran it in from two yards out – just one play after Mason took it 11 yards to the Jets’ doorstep.
Mason would finally see that touchdown count on the team’s second-half opening drive, an 11-play, 70-yard masterpiece where he bust it in from five yards out.
With the score 23-7 after Mason’s score, it appeared this game was out of reach, especially after a tipped pass from Rodgers landed in the hands of Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for an interception on the next drive.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. (Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)
But Rodgers’ first career touchdown pass couldn’t have come at a better time, when he got a free play on a 49ers offside penalty and launched a 36-yard strike to Allen Lazard, his old friend from the Green Bay Packers, to make it 26-13. Hall wasn’t able to convert on the two-point try, but it felt like more of a game at that point.
However, the 49ers knocked off almost seven minutes of clock on the ensuing drive – yes, Mason had a lot to do with that – as they added yet another Moody field goal to the score board.
Moody tied a 49ers record with six field goals made in this game on six tries.
Looking further into the box score, Purdy finished the game 19-of-29 for 231 yards with Jauan Jennings his leading receiver with 64 yards on five receptions. Samuel also had five catches for 54 yards, while rushing for 23 yards on eight rushes.
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (left) celebrates with offensive tackle Colton McKivitz (right) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. (Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)
For the Jets, Rodgers was 13-of-21 in what fans will call his true debut for 167 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
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If the Super Bowl marks the end of the NFL season, WrestleMania is when WWE’s year is over.
There is no offseason in WWE, and when waves of departures hit the company, it hits harder than a Gunther knife-edge chop.
Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Nikki Cross appear during SmackDown at First Horizon Center in Savannah, Ga., on May 23, 2025. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Fightful and BodySlam both reported several superstars who left WWE on Friday ahead of “Friday Night SmackDown.” Some wrestlers confirmed their departures on social media.
Those who left included: Alba Fyre, Aleister Black, Alex Shelley, Andre Chase, Apollo Crews, Bo Dallas, Chris Island, Chris Sabin, Dante Chen, Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Kairi Sane, Luca Crusifino, Malik Blade, Nikki Cross, Santos Escobar, Sirena Linton, Trill London, Tyra Mae Steele, Tyriek Igwe, Tyson Dupont, Zelina Vegas and Zoey Stark.
The WWE roster is loaded as it is with several NXT stars getting called up this week.
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Sol Ruca made her presence felt on Raw on Monday when she challenged women’s champion Liv Morgan. The Fatal Influence faction of Jacy Jayne, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley took aim at the women’s tag team division on SmackDown on Friday. Ricky Saints and Blake Monroe also had vignettes for their upcoming appearances.
Meanwhile, former NXT champion Oba Femi has been on main WWE programming for the last few weeks and beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42.
Kairi Sane enters the ring during Monday Night RAW at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on April 13, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega make their way to the ring during SmackDown at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 3, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)
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It’s not the end of the road for any of the recent departures. Several former WWE stars have made waves elsewhere. Some have even returned over the course of time.
Pitching coach Gus Rico was having dinner on Thursday when head coach Matt Mowry of Birmingham High complimented him on closer Aidan Martinez recording all seven of his outs on strikeouts.
“I had no idea,” Rico said. “Everything is a blur when I’m calling pitches.”
Martinez is throwing some blurs these days after returning this season following Tommy John surgery in June 2024. He touched 92 mph with his fastball and has been improving each week, getting better command and walking fewer batters. He has 28 strikeouts in 15 innings and three saves.
Birmingham is one game behind El Camino Real in the West Valley League standings going into showdown week, playing El Camino Real on Wednesday at on the road and Friday at home. The Patriots need a sweep to have a chance at their first league title under Mowry, who prefers winning City titles.
With Martinez throwing so well, it would be a good strategy for opposing teams to make sure they are leading going into the last two innings.
“He’s got a bright future,” Rico said.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
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Earlier this month, Michigan defeated UConn in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game.
Shortly after the Wolverines captured the program’s first title since 1989, Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. announced he would enter the NBA Draft.
Despite declaring for the NBA Draft, Johnson has maintained his NCAA eligibility throughout the process. However, he has until May 27 to withdraw if he plans to return for his junior season.
Johnson played for Illinois during the 2024-25 season before transferring to Michigan last offseason.
Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. walks on the court against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated)
After joining Michigan, Johnson quickly emerged as a key contributor, averaging the second-most points on the team. He also led the Wolverines in rebounding, averaging 7.3 per game.
Michigan head coach Dusty May eventually dubbed Johnson “The Enforcer” and “Junkyard Dog,” a nod to his tenacity on the defensive end. Johnson was named to the Big Ten’s All-Defensive Team.
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But Johnson’s offensive prowess didn’t take a back seat to his defensive strengths. His shooting from beyond the 3-point line showed improvement as the season progressed.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 in the 2026 NCAA national championship game in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Many early NBA projections gave Johnson a first-round grade. It’s unclear how much name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation he would command if he returns to Michigan or transfers elsewhere.
Johnson has been active on social media, interacting with teammates as they consider returning to Michigan for another championship push.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after scoring in the second half against the UConn Huskies during the 2026 NCAA national championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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Michigan added a key piece this week, with Jalen Reed transferring from LSU, On3 reported. Reed was limited during the 2025-26 season by an Achilles injury.
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