The 49ers played their first preseason game Saturday and lost to a score of 19-16 to the Kansas City Chiefs, but there was much to take away from it.
Before the game, it was a surprise when the 49ers announced that one of their 22 inactive players was rookie running back Elijah Mitchell, their sixth-round draft pick who has been buried on the depth chart, and could have used the reps in the preseason.
Now, we know why.
During the postgame presser, head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Mitchell would be out for a couple weeks due to an abductor strain, which would be a significant blow to the rookie who could have showcased his skills more with the preseason reps, especially with running backs Trey Sermon and JaMychal Hasty having good stretches in the first preseason game.
Rookie 49ers RB Elijah Mitchell has an adductor strain and will be out for a couple weeks, per Shanahan
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 15, 2021
In addition, the 49ers faced another blow, this time in-game, as rookie guard Aaron Banks suffered a shoulder injury mid-game and did not return.
When asked about Banks, Shanahan couldn't give a firm answer yet, but anticipated that Banks would be out about a week or so with his shoulder injury.
Shanahan anticipates Aaron Banks will be out a week or so with a shoulder injury.
— 49ersHive (@49ersHive) August 15, 2021
With Banks out for perhaps the rest of the preseason, guard Daniel Brunskill, who has competed with Banks and has gotten most of the first-team right guard reps, will likely start in Week 1, especially with Banks' shaky performance in his first NFL action.
In other injury news, running back Trey Sermon appeared to injure his left hand during the last play of the first quarter. He consequently fumbled the football, which was recovered by the 49ers.
However, after a look by the trainers, Sermon seemed good and was back and available for the remainder of the game.
Tune in for the rest of the 49ers updates following tonight's postgame presser.
