San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell will miss the remainder of today’s game against the Chicago Bears after sustaining a knee injury, the club announced. How can the 49ers replace Mitchell if he’s sidelined for an extended period of time?
49ers RB Elijah Mitchell out with knee injury
Mitchell posted 41 yards on six carries before departing. The second-year back had been dealing with a hamstring issue throughout the preseason, but this appears to be a new knee injury. Mitchell suffered a knee sprain last season and ultimately missed four games.
A sixth-round pick out of Louisiana in 2021, Mitchell was expected to begin his rookie campaign as a reserve. But after Raheem Mostert went down for the year in San Francisco’s first game of last season, Mitchell sprang into action, posting 104 yards in his debut and finishing the year with 963 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
The 49ers are expected to lean into the run game once again in 2022 after rushing at the NFL’s fourth-highest rate last season. First-year starting QB Trey Lance is a threat on the ground, and running quarterbacks can often help RBs post efficient results.
If Mitchell is out for a while, San Francisco will have to look elsewhere on their depth chart for help. Jeff Wilson Jr. is Mitchell’s primary backup and figures to see the most carries early on. The 26-year-old started four games for the 49ers a season ago while Mitchell was sidelined. His best effort was a 26-carry, 110-yard performance against the Falcons in Week 14.
Rookie undrafted free agent Jordan Mason was active today over third-round pick Tyrion Davis-Price, and he could see more action depending on the severity of Mitchell’s injury. He generated a lot of buzz during training camp and into the preseason, and the fact that he is active over TDP indicates the RB pecking order in San Francisco.
Davis-Price, like Trey Sermon a year ago, was selected in the third round but didn’t play well over the summer. He’s likely to be active if Mitchell is out in Week 2, but he’s behind both Wilson and Mason.
Aside from their running backs, the 49ers can also get “wide back” Deebo Samuel involved in the run game again. Samuel posted at least six carries in nine of his final 10 games (including the playoffs). As of this writing, he’s already managed seven attempts for 51 yards and a score against the Bears.