The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 15 contest against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Running back Jeff Wilson will likely get this third start of the season. Elijah Mitchell has not practiced this week and was not out there with his teammates on Friday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday morning that he was hopeful Mitchell could play on Sunday. However, Mitchell has been ruled out.
After Friday's practice, Shanahan said he isn't optimistic the rookie running back can return for the team's Thursday-night game against the Tennessee Titans but remains hopeful. The coach noted that Mitchell's absence is mostly due to the knee injury and not necessarily the lingering effects from the concussion sustained in Week 13.
Cornerback Dontae Johnson returned to the team following the passing of his mother.
#49ers CB Dontae Johnson back with the team at practice today.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 17, 2021
Defensive tackle D.J. Jones did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but returned on Friday.
Linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Dre Greenlaw did not practice this week. Shanahan is holding out hope that Al-Shaair will be available on Sunday, though. The linebacker is listed as "doubtful."
"We're still waiting for that elbow to recover," Shanahan said Friday morning. "Hopefully, the swelling stuff will go down. That gives him a chance to play. Azeez, if he can protect himself, he's got a chance to play. We know he will. Azeez is as tough as it gets.
"He's been through some of these elbows. He did that in college. He did the other one earlier this year. So, we've just got to see how it reacts, and we'll give him all the way up to kickoff. He hasn't gotten there yet but [he's] still got a couple more days."
Below are the official injury reports for the 49ers and Falcons, which were provided by the 49ers Communications staff. Also included are Friday's practice participation reports.
San Francisco 49ers
Out
LB Dre Greenlaw (groin), DL Maurice Hurst (calf), RB Elijah Mitchell (concussion, knee)
Doubtful
LB Azeez Al-Shaair (elbow)
Questionable
DL D.J. Jones (knee), S Jaquiski Tartt (glute), CB Ambry Thomas (concussion)
Atlanta Falcons
Out
S Erik Harris (chest)
Questionable
LB Dante Fowler (calf)
San Francisco 49ers Friday Practice
Did Not Participate In Practice
LB Azeez Al-Shaair (elbow), LB Dre Greenlaw (groin), DL Maurice Hurst (calf), RB Elijah Mitchell (concussion, knee)
Limited Participation in Practice
DL D.J. Jones (knee), S Jaquiski Tartt (glute)
Full Participation in Practice
DL Nick Bosa (not injury related - resting player), CB Dontae Johnson (not injury related - personal matter), TE George Kittle (knee), C Alex Mack (not injury related - resting player), CB Ambry Thomas (concussion), LB Fred Warner (ankle), T Trent Williams (not injury related - resting player)
Atlanta Falcons Friday Practice
Did Not Participate In Practice
S Erik Harris (chest)
Limited Participation in Practice
LB Dante Fowler (calf)
Full Participation in Practice
S Richie Grant (ankle), TE Hayden Hurst (illness), LB Adetokunbo Ogundeji (ankle)