Rookie Elijah Mitchell, the San Francisco 49ers' leading rusher, is dealing with two injuries this week. First, he is in the concussion protocol. His head coach, Kyle Shanahan, revealed this week that the running back is also dealing with a "knee irritation."
The 49ers are short on healthy running backs. In addition to Mitchell's injuries, Jeff Wilson has been limited due to a flare-up in his knee, Trenton Cannon is also in the concussion protocol, and Trey Sermon is on injured reserve due to an ankle injury.
"They're a little banged-up, as usual," Shanahan said on KNBR's Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks show when asked how the running back room is looking. "It's a tough position."
Shanahan remains hopeful that Mitchell might play on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the coach isn't counting on the running back being available.
"Elijah, holding out hope," Shanahan said, "but he still hasn't been able to go and stuff, so not looking real likely. But still holding out hope."
With game day just three days away, the 49ers coach provided updates on his other running backs.
"You've got a healthy [JaMycal] Hasty," Shanahan said. "And Jeff Wilson, he's been healthy this week. His knee acted up a little bit on him on Sunday. We didn't use him very much. But he's been feeling good all week long and practiced good today.
"Then we brought Brian Hill in here, who we just signed. If Elijah isn't able to go, [Hill] should be able to get up and help us, if needed."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Shanahan below.
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