Texans (4-11) at 49ers (8-7)

Spotlight on: RB Elijah Mitchell: The rookie is officially questionable with a knee injury that has sidelined him for three games, but head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Mitchell will play and could receive plenty of carries. It sets up as an appetizing return for Mitchell, who will face a 30th-ranked run defense allowing a 141.3 yards per game. With rookie QB Trey Lance expected to start, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Shanahan were to spread about 40 carries between Mitchell, Lance, RB Jeff Wilson and WR Deebo Samuel. Mitchell (759 yards) needs 53 yards to set the franchise record for rushing yards by a rookie (Vic Washington, 811, 1971).

Injury notes: 49ers — LBs Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and Dre Greenlaw (groin) are out; QB Jimmy Garoppolo (right thumb) and S Talanoa Hufanga (knee) are doubtful; P Mitch Wishnowsky was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday and will play. Texans — WR Chris Conley (knee), S A.J. Moore (illness) and CB Jimmy Moreland (illness) are questionable.

WHAT TO WATCH

The 49ers have 22 sacks in their past seven games, the third-most in the NFL over that span. DE Nick Bosa has eight of their sacks. Texans rookie QB Davis Mills had a combined 110.4 passer rating in back-to-back wins over the Jaguars and Chargers, the fifth-highest in the NFL from Weeks 15-16. Texans WR Brandin Cooks has 80 catches for 945 yards and five TDs. He’s the team’s only player with more than 29 receptions, 344 yards or three scores.