San Francisco 49ers Running Back Will Be Available This Week

He has not played since Week 12.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told Adam Copeland of KNBR on Thursday that he expects running back Elijah Mitchell to be available for Sunday's game versus the Arizona Cardinals.

Elijah Mitchell was back at 49ers practice and was top dog in the RB room with Christian McCaffrey out. Looked quick pic.twitter.com/obMnSOzY3i

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) January 4, 2023

Although Mitchell returned to practice on Wednesday, the 49ers didn't officially designate him for a return from the injured reserve until Thursday. 

Christian McCaffrey has not practiced this week, but he revealed on Thursday that his DNP's were merely a precaution, and that he should be active this weekend.

McCaffrey and Mitchell have played four games together since the trade in October. In the first three games, Mitchell recorded 41 touches to McCaffrey's 47 in Weeks 10-12, so both players get plenty of playing time together.

In four games this season, the twenty-four-year-old Mitchell has carried the ball 40 times for 224 yards. 
Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports