The 49ers, as they had been for a good chunk of the season a 12 months in the past, shall be with out Elijah Mitchell once more after a Week 1 knee damage towards the Chicago Bears.
Mitchell shall be positioned on injured reserve, coach Kyle Shanahan stated Monday. Which means he’ll miss at the very least 4 video games however it can in all probability be longer.
“He gained’t want surgical procedure however he’ll find yourself occurring I.R.,” Shanahan stated in a convention name with native media. “We’re estimating round two months or eight weeks, give or take just a few. Hopefully all of it goes nicely and it’s earlier however you by no means know with these issues. That’s what we’re guessing.”
The 49ers have seven video games earlier than their scheduled bye on Nov. 6, with the potential for Mitchell to return on Nov. 13 towards the Los Angeles Chargers.
Mitchell was working robust, gaining 41 yards on six carries earlier than his departure in Sunday’s 19-10 loss to the Chicago Bears . He was injured on an 11-yard run from the Chicago 26 to the 11-yard line, however was hit within the knee along with his leg planted by security Eddie Jackson. He stayed on for yet one more play and gained a yard, however then didn't return.
Mitchell’s usually upbeat temper was downcast Monday, in accordance with Shanahan.
“He was fairly down, and for apparent causes we’re down for him,” Shanahan stated of Mitchell’s sprained MCL analysis. “Elijah went by lots final 12 months . . . I believed he seemed actually good earlier than he bought harm. I attempted to inform him to maintain his head up. Anybody who would have gotten caught in that scenario would have gotten harm with the best way his foot was planted within the floor and the man hit his knee. We had been actual lucky it wasn’t worse.”
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk stated he tried to elevate Mitchell’s spirits.
“I’ve had my arm round Elijah right here for a bit bit,” Juszczyk stated on a convention name. “It actually stinks for him personally and for us as a workforce. We really feel he’s one of many premiere backs on this league and I feel any time he has a chance to be on the sphere he’s proven that. He hates to be injured, he doesn’t need to be that man, however I feel this one was out of his palms.”
A 2021 sixth-round pick of Louisiana, Mitchell set a 49ers rookie dashing report with 963 yards regardless of lacking six video games with knee, shoulder and concussion points.
Different working backs energetic towards the Bears had been Jeff Wilson Jr. (9 carries for 22 yards) and undrafted rookie free agent Jordan Mason, who didn’t play on offense. Additionally on the roster is third-round decide Ty Davis-Value out of LSU, who was inactive.
The 49ers’ main rushers had been quarterback Trey Lance (13 carries, 54 yards) and large receiver Deebo Samuel (8 carries, 52 yards) who reprised his “large again” position he assumed a 12 months in the past due to accidents within the backfield.
“We’ve all the time been snug with Jeff simply due to his expertise and what he’s finished right here,” Shanahan stated. “The opposite two guys, they made our workforce for a motive. They’re two proficient gamers who I feel can assist us working the ball. However they’ve bought to develop up quick.”
Whereas growing Samuel’s workload within the backfield is a risk, it’s seemingly the 49ers want to expose Lance to fewer hits if attainable. Regardless, Shanahan pressured the necessity of manufacturing from the working backs to choose up the slack in Mitchell’s absence.
The 49ers have been versatile relating to working backs over Shanahan’s first 5 seasons as coach, with 5 completely different gamers main the membership in dashing — Carlos Hyde in 2017 (938 yards), Matt Brieda in 2018 (814 yards), Raheem Mostert in 2019 (772 yards), Wilson in 2020 (600 yards) and Mitchell final season.
“That’s why we preserve drafting one yearly,” Shanahan stated. “I feel the primary 12 months with Carlos Hyde was the one 12 months we didn’t lose our beginning working again. It’s one thing that’s occurred up to now and it’s why you possibly can by no means have too a lot of them. Typically it looks like we've got lots and really shortly it feels such as you don’t. Hopefully we will maintain down the fort a bit bit and when Elijah comes again he’s coming again to a greater workforce and hoping to stay round.”
The one different damage to come back out of that recreation was a sprained ankle from Javon Kinlaw, which Shanahan stated he doesn’t consider shall be an issue this week.
INTERIOR PRESENCE
One factor that didn’t go badly towards the Bears was a giant concern stepping into. The center of the 49ers’ offensive line, rookie proper guard Spencer Burford, veteran heart Jake Brendel and rookie left guard Aaron Banks acquitted themselves nicely on movie.
“I believed they did an actual good job,” Shanahan stated. “I believed they did good at go safety. It was an actual optimistic recreation by these three. Certainly not had been they good, however they did an actual good job for the primary time.”
SAFETY PERFORMANCE
Second-year security Talanoa Hufanga performed all 58 snaps and was a star of the tv broadcast with an interception and a number of other tackles. Shanahan appeared equally impressed with Tashaun Gipson Sr., a veteran activated from the observe squad who performed all however one snap. Gipson will seemingly be added to the 53-man roster this week with Jimmie Ward three video games away from coming off injured reserve with a hamstring pressure.
Shanahan thought Hufanga was good watching the sport stay and felt even higher about his play after watching the tape. Gipson additionally graded out nicely.
“I believed Gipson had an enormous problem stepping in and enjoying for Jimmie Ward,” Shanahan stated. “He seemed good in observe all week. It was superior to get him on the market. You possibly can inform he’s a vet who can acknowledge offensive schemes and do some stuff.”
WHAT’S UP WITH KITTLE?
Tight finish George Kittle was listed as questionable and tried to place one of the best face on his availability Friday, however it sounds just like the 49ers believed in any other case.
“He thought he was (prepared). That’s why he made the journey,” Shanahan stated. “However we determined fairly early Saturday evening, speaking to docs (that he wouldn’t play).
The potential for Kittle going through Seattle shall be decided through the week.
“Hopefully he’s able to go Wednesday however we’re undecided but,” Shanahan stated
JIMMY G AND BIG D
In mild of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s thumb damage which will sideline him for half the season, Shanahan was requested whether or not it modifications Jimmy Garoppolo’s availability for a possible commerce to Dallas.
“Similar to all gamers, we’ll take heed to anyone on something. That by no means modifications for any participant. We’ll all the time take heed to anyone,” Shanahan stated.
Garoppolo restructured his contract to stay with the 49ers as Lance’s backup, however he nonetheless has the flexibility to veto any commerce.