Elijah Mitchell expected to ‘miss some time’ with knee injury [report]

Jake Montero added this on September 12, 2022

It sounds like it’s more than a minor injury for Elijah Mitchell.

The 49ers running back is “expected to miss some time” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Some time apparently means at least a few weeks. Mitchell is having an MRI on Monday.

#49ers RB Eli Mitchell, who was quickly ruled out yesterday with a knee injury, is expected to miss some time, source said. He has an MRI this morning and that will determine the full extent. But Mitchell looking at a few weeks (or more) on the sidelines.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2022

Losing Mitchell is the latest blow for the 49ers who are already without tight end George Kittle and are coming off a season-opening loss to a seemingly less talented Bears team. Mitchell’s exit from Week 1 in the first half also coincided with San Francisco’s running game stalling significantly. Mitchell gained 41 yards on six rushes, good for a 6.8 per yard average.

Up next on the depth chart is Jeff Wilson Jr. who despite having quite a bit of experience did not look great in Chicago. Wilson averaged just 2.4 yards per rush on nine carries.

It will likely also lead to an elevated workload for Deebo Samuel (eight rushes for 52 yards), who was excellent as a runner on Sunday and scored the 49ers’ only touchdown.