The San Francisco 49ers opened the practice window for Elijah Mitchell this week. The running back is attempting to return from his second MCL sprain of the season and could be suited up this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals. Expect the team to activate Mitchell from the injured reserve list before Sunday's kickoff.
"He's had a great week of practice," head coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday afternoon on KNBR's Tolbert & Copes show. "He looked real good today, and I'll talk to him here over Friday and Saturday, but right now, I'm expecting to get him up, and I expect to play him a little bit here on Sunday."
There is a reason for the 49ers to compete in their regular-season finale. They are currently the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff picture. A win and a Philadelphia Eagles loss could give them the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage. Of course, a loss and a Minnesota Vikings win would drop them to the No. 3 seed.
The 49ers made Mitchell a sixth-round draft pick out of Louisiana in 2021. The second-year running back has recorded 224 rushing yards on 40 carries (5.6 yards per carry) through his four game appearances this season. He has been on the injured reserve list since December 3.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Shanahan below.
49ers' Brock Purdy recalls Kyle Shanahan tricking him into thinking he was cut
By David Bonilla
Jul 8
Brock Purdy entered the NFL as the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, selected No. 262 overall by the San Francisco 49ers. With Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo still on the roster, Purdy found himself competing with veteran Nate Sudfeld for the team's QB3 spot.
As the 53-man...
Mac Jones' 49ers reset: Kyle Shanahan unlocking QB's potential
By David Bonilla
Jul 3
Mac Jones is determined to rejuvenate his career, choosing to sign a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason to serve as Brock Purdy's backup. Jones showed promise as a rookie after the New England Patriots selected him 15th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, but...
49ers trade talk: What would it cost to acquire Jalen Ramsey?
By David Bonilla
Jun 29
Jalen Ramsey has expressed interest in returning to the West Coast, and his name frequently surfaces in discussions about potential San Francisco 49ers trades. But what exactly would it take for the Bay Area team to land the veteran cornerback? According to Bleacher Report's...
49ers chemistry: George Kittle talks bond with Brock Purdy, 2025 outlook
By David Bonilla
Jun 30
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle caught up with NBC Sports Bay Area at Tight End University (TEU) last week, where he shared insights on his growing connection with quarterback Brock Purdy and expectations for the 2025 season.
While Purdy didn't attend TEU this...
