Top rusher Mitchell won’t face Falcons
Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell won't play in the 49ers' next game. The game after that? That's not looking promising.
After Mitchell on Friday was ruled out of Sunday's game against the Falcons, head coach Kyle Shanahan was dubious that the team's leading rusher would return when the 49ers visit the Titans next Thursday.
“I'm not optimistic,” Shanahan said, “but I hope so.”
Mitchell is expected to be cleared from the concussion protocol before Sunday's kickoff, but he remains hampered by a knee injury that he suffered playing against Seattle on Dec. 5. Mitchell suffered his concussion in the same game, and has not practiced since he suffered both injuries.
“It's just the pain tolerance with the knee,” Shanahan said. “We thought it would have gone down faster, and it hasn't as quickly as we thought it would.”
Mitchell has appeared on the injury report with five injuries this season. He previously missed two games with a shoulder injury, another game with a broken finger and he played through an injury to his ribs. Despite missing four games, Mitchell ranks 13th in the NFL with 759 yards rushing.
Johnson returns: Cornerback Dontae Johnson, whose mother died Sunday, returned to practice after a weeklong absence.
Shanahan indicated Johnson, 30, an eight-year veteran, would be able to start against Atlanta despite having little practice time. However, he wanted to gauge if Johnson would be mentally prepared to assume the starting role of Emmanuel Moseley, who is on injured reserve.
“The grieving process takes a long time, so it was good to get him out there today,” Shanahan said. “I think it was the first step. And we'll continue to talk to him throughout the weekend.”
Without Johnson and Moseley, rookie cornerback Ambry Thomas made his first career start in last Sunday's overtime win at Cincinnati. The thirdround pick allowed a 32-yard touchdown catch and had illegal-hands-to-the-face penalties that negated an interception and a sack. Thomas (concussion) is questionable to play Sunday.
More injuries: Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (groin) and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (calf ) won't play against the Falcons and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is doubtful to play because of a sprained elbow.
Greenlaw has played in just two games this season. He returned after undergoing core muscle surgery after the season opener, but he aggravated his injury after playing 13 snaps in a win against the Vikings on Nov. 28.
Nose tackle D.J. Jones (knee) and safety Jaquiski Tartt (glute) are questionable.