Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell has been named the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week following his performance in the San Francisco 49ers' Week 8 victory over the Chicago Bears. He rushed for 137 yards on 18 carries (7.6 yards per attempt) and one touchdown in the Week 8 matchup.
Mitchell was up against two other running backs for the NFL honor. The first was Najee Harris, who rushed for 91 yards on 26 carries (3.5 yards per attempt) and one touchdown in the Pittsburgh Steelers' win over the Cleveland Browns. The second was Darrell Henderson, who rushed for 90 yards on 14 attempts (6.4 yards per attempt) and one touchdown in the Los Angeles Rams' over the Houston Texans.
Mitchell, a sixth-round draft pick out of Louisiana, has registered 433 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns while adding four receptions for 30 yards through five games and four starts this season. His Week 8 outing was his third game of over 100 rushing yards.
By winning the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week Award, FedEx will make a $2,000 donation in Mitchell's name to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), which will be applied towards needs-based scholarships to deserving HBCU students.
New York Jets quarterback Mike White was named the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week for his 405-yard and three-touchdown performance in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals.