What Kyle Shanahan said about Elijah Mitchell’s availability for 49ers-Vikings

The San Francisco 49ers hope to have running back Elijah Mitchell available for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Of course, the team hoped to have him available this past weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he was inactive.

Mitchell is still recovering from the surgery to repair the finger fracture suffered on November 15 against the Los Angeles Rams. He practiced this week. Although, he was limited, wearing a blue no-contact jersey, and had his right hand securely wrapped.

"He got better each day," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after Friday's practice. "He was able to do everything, except we just kept guys off him, from hitting him."

Mitchell is listed as "questionable" for Sunday. As was the case last weekend, the team will monitor his condition leading up to kick-off.

"If he's not 100 percent confident in how he feels, then we won't put him out there," Shanahan explained. "So, it's mainly just getting to that point. And I think it's getting closer to being that."

Mitchell is a pretty tough player, having already played through multiple injuries. Shanahan was asked if his rookie running is upfront about how he is feeling.

"Yeah, he is upfront," Shanahan responded. "And I think he would be [during] the game, too. Just, adrenaline is a funny thing in those games. Sometimes you don't feel the pain until after."

Players often miss more time after having a pin inserted into their finger to repair a fracture. However, that may not be the case with Mitchell.

"I don't want to undertalk it, but it has to do with where [the pin] is at, and if you can protect it, things like that," Shanahan said. "And he's a fast healer. And obviously, he wouldn't be out there if he wasn't alright."

Shanahan added that Mitchell will play if he feels he is comfortable enough to protect his hand.

The 49ers and Vikings are scheduled to kick off from Levi's Stadium on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PT.