49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Needs surgery on hamstring
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Mitchell will have surgery on his hamstring after being placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Out for most of the summer with a hamstring injury, Mitchell returned to practice Aug. 21 but then suffered a more serious hamstring injury not long thereafter. He's now out for the season and scheduled for surgery, leaving Jordan Mason as the presumed No. 2 running back ahead of a Week 1 matchup with the Jets. The 49ers hope to get Christian McCaffrey (calf) back in practice soon, and their backfield depth suddenly looks shaky with Isaac Guerendo bothered by a groin injury and with Cody Schrader having been claimed off waivers by the division-rival Rams. Mason and Patrick Taylor are the only fully healthy backs on the roster or practice squad.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Going to injured reserve
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The 49ers placed Mitchell (undisclosed) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Mitchell kicked off August with a strained hamstring that sidelined him for a good portion of training camp and the entire preseason slate, but he returned to practice last Wednesday, signaling he was making progress in his recovery. It's unclear if the aforementioned health concern precipitated this move, but he'll nonetheless miss the entire season. With Mitchell on IR, Jordan Mason, Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor will be the reserve running backs behind Christian McCaffrey (calf) to begin the campaign.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Not suiting up Friday
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Mitchell isn't in line to play in Friday's preseason game in Las Vegas, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
A strained hamstring sidelined Mitchell for the first two exhibitions, and even though he returned to practice Wednesday, the 49ers will opt to keep him in street clothes two days later. He'll thus turn his focus to Week 1, when he's expected to serve as the primary backup to All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey (calf). In 27 regular-season games in his three-year career, Mitchell has averaged 4.7 YPC while scoring 10 total touchdowns.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Retakes practice field
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Mitchell (hamstring) resumed practicing Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Mitchell has been sidelined due to a strained hamstring since Aug. 6, but he's managed to resume practicing ahead of San Francisco's preseason finale against the Raiders on Friday. The 49ers could still opt to hold Mitchell out of exhibition action, but he looks like he'll at least be ready to suit up Week 1 versus the Jets. Meanwhile, lead back Christian McCaffrey (calf) continues to work his way back, and depth options Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) and Jordan Mason (hip) both also resumed practicing this week.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Likely not playing Saturday
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Mitchell (hamstring) is not expected to play in Saturday's preseason opener, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The 49ers have a numbered of injured running backs also not playing Saturday, including Christian McCaffrey (calf) and Isaac Guerendo, but it doesn't seem as if backup Jordan Mason will see extensive snaps. As a result, Cody Schrader, Matt Breida and Patrick Taylor could see plenty of opportunities.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Has strained hamstring
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Coach Kyle Shanahan relayed Tuesday that Mitchell is dealing with a strained hamstring, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Meanwhile, Christian McCaffrey has a calf strain that figures to sideline him a couple of weeks and Isaac Guerendo has also been slowed by a hamstring issue. To bolster their backfield depth, the 49ers have added Matt Breida to the mix. Once Mitchell returns to the field, he'll look to cement his standing as McCaffrey 's top backup.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Facing challenge for backup role
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Jordan Mason may challenge Mitchell for the No. 2 RB role, Jordan Elliott of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Mitchell was still viewed as the clear No. 2 running back as recently as minicamp in June, but Mason's continued development may be complicating things. San Francisco's strong backfield depth behind Christian McCaffrey could even make Mitchell a trade target heading into the final year of his rookie contract, although the 49ers would probably feel better about that if fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo was practicing rather than nursing a hamstring injury. Mitchell still makes sense as a late-round pick in fantasy drafts, as it's hard to know if the camp hype surrounding Mason really matters relative to Mitchell's solid track record when tasked with a lead role. There's even potential for Mitchell's value to rise considerably between now and Week 1, either via a trade or a McCaffrey injury.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Still the No. 2 back
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Mitchell remains the clear No. 2 running back for San Francisco, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
Lombardi notes that the Niners have a history of trading backup running backs (Matt Breida, Jeff Wilson) when they're happy with their depth at the position. That could be an option this summer, though it's not necessarily likely, with Mitchell in the final year of his contract and a pair of rookies (fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo, UDFA Cody Schrader) getting work at minicamp. The 49ers also have returning veteran Jordan Mason, but he's mostly played special teams and has never managed to move above Mitchell on the depth chart when Mitchell's been healthy. The long-term plan probably entails Guerendo taking over as the No. 2 RB behind Christian McCaffrey, but Mitchell looks on track to handle the role again this season.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Cashes in short touchdown
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Mitchell had four carries for seven yards and a touchdown Sunday in the 49ers' 34-31 win over the Lions in the NFC Championship Game.
Mitchell punched in a three-yard run for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, making the most of his minor role on the day. The 25-year-old finished with just six snaps on offense, with most of his reps coming late in the game when starting running back Christian McCaffrey exited in the fourth quarter after coming just a few yards short of his third rushing touchdown of the contest. McCaffrey's departure appeared to the result of him landing hard on his head, but with the 49ers offering no indication that the 27-year-old has entered concussion protocol, he should shoulder a heavy workload out of the backfield against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Feb. 11. As such, Mitchell should be viewed as little more than a low-end DFS option, despite provided a touchdown run in the NFC Championship Game.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Starts in place of CMC
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Mitchell rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts while catching both of his targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 21-20 loss to the Rams.
The NFC's No. 1 seed opted to sit multiple stars in Week 18 with nothing to play for. Mitchell took full advantage of Christian McCaffrey's absence by leading the team in all rushing categories and scoring his second touchdown in as many weeks. The oft-injured Mitchell was dealing with an illness during the practice week but seemed 100 percent Sunday, and with an extra week of rest in store for all San Francisco players due to a first-round playoff bye, he should be available to back up CMC when the team resumes play in the divisional round.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Cleared to face Rams
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Mitchell (illness) doesn't have a game designation for Sunday against the Rams, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Mitchell overcame an illness and may now make his first start of the season with Christian McCaffrey (calf) ruled out for Sunday's game. It is possible Jordan Mason and/or practice squad members Tyrion Davis-Price or Jeremy McNichols also get some of McCaffrey's usual snaps/touches, especially with the 49ers locked into the No. 1 seed for the NFC playoffs.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Comes down with illness
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Mitchell didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
The 49ers already have ruled out top running back Christian McCaffrey for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rams due to a strained right calf, which would give Mitchell an opportunity to be the team's No. 1 back under normal circumstances Week 18. But with an illness in tow, it can't be counted on. Mitchell has two more chances this week to log on-field work, but in the meantime Jordan Mason and practice-squad member Tyrion Davis-Price represent the healthy options at the position on San Francisco's roster.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Sees season-high usage Sunday
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Mitchell racked up 17 carries for 80 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 27-10 win at Washington.
Mitchell was afforded only one rush in the first half, but after Christian McCaffrey exited in the third quarter due to a calf injury, the former was the 49ers' lead runner the rest of the way. The performance marked just Mitchell's second of 2023 with double-digit carries, and he also recorded his first touchdown of the campaign on a two-yard plunge. Per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, coach Kyle Shanahan relayed after the game that McCaffrey may have a strained calf, so with San Francisco locking up the No. 1 seed in the NFC with Sunday's victory, Mitchell could be the team's top back Week 18 against the Rams.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Gets full listing Wednesday
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Mitchell (knee) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.
The full listing backs up what head coach Kyle Shanahan told Matt Barrows of The Athletic on Tuesday, when he said Mitchell will be "full go" for Week 17. With an uncapped practice under this belt, Mitchell is poised to put an end to a three-game absence Sunday at Washington. In his nine appearances this season, he's averaged 3.4 yards on 44 carries and also gathered in four of six targets for minus-1 yard while working behind workhorse back Christian McCaffrey.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Likely to return in Week 17
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San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that Mitchell (knee) is expected to be "full go" in Week 17, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Shanahan didn't specifically say that Mitchell will be a full participant in practice this week, but the running back will presumably get back to full activity no later than Friday. Assuming he navigates the practice week unscathed, Mitchell should reclaim the No. 2 role behind starting running back Christian McCaffrey after Jordan Mason took on those duties each of the previous three weeks.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Sitting out again Monday
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Mitchell (knee) is listed as inactive Monday versus the Ravens, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Mitchell was able to muster a pair of limited practices during Week 16 prep, but it wasn't enough for him to return to action for the first time since Week 13. He'll thus cede reserve RB reps to Jordan Mason and perhaps Jeremy McNichols behind workhorse Christian McCaffrey on Monday. Mitchell's next chance to play is Sunday at Washington.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Questionable for Week 16
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Mitchell (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Ravens, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Despite not practicing Thursday or Friday, Mitchell has been given a chance to make himself available to the 49ers backfield for the first time since Week 13. Such a decision won't become known until about 90 minutes before Monday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but if Mitchell can't suit up, Jordan Mason and Jeremy McNichols will be the RB options behind top runner Christian McCaffrey.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Ruled out for Week 15
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Mitchell (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Arizona, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Jordan Mason will replace Mitchell as Christian McCaffrey's backup for a second straight game. It's a role that comes with minimal playing time apart from blowout situations, though Mason did score a three-yard TD against the Seahawks last week after McCaffrey ripped off a 72-yard run on the first play from scrimmage and needed a breather. Mason played just five snaps thereafter and finished with five touches for 26 yards and the touchdown.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Officially DNP Thursday
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Mitchell (knee) did not practice Thursday, Josh Dubow of The Associated Press reports.
It's a downgrade for Mitchell after he was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice report. Mitchell looks to be on the wrong side of questionable for this week's date with the Cardinals. Jordan Mason filled in as Christian McCaffrey's direct backup last week against Seattle.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Not participating Thursday
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Mitchell (knee) was not participating in the media portion of Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Mitchell was estimated as limited Wednesday, so a DNP would be an obvious downgrade. The third-year back missed last week's win over the Seahawks and has missed a total of four games to various injuries this season. Mitchell is averaging just 4.9 carries per game when healthy.
