Elijah Mitchell could join Mccaffrey in 49ers’ revamped backfield
On Monday, 18 days after the arrival of the San Francisco 49ers’ top running back, their former backfield leader returned.
The 49ers appear poised to debut a potentially formidable rushing tandem when they host the Chargers on Sunday night after Elijah Mitchell, their 2021 rushing leader, participated in his first practice in nearly two months.
Mitchell, who has been sidelined since Week 1, is expected to join All-pro
Christian Mccaffrey in the backfield against Los Angeles, which ranks 26th in rushing yards allowed per game (145.5) is surrendering a league-high 5.7 yards per carry. Mccaffrey figures to do much of the heavy lifting, but Mitchell now offers a dynamic off-the-bench element: He set the franchise rookie rushing record with 963 yards last season and has averaged 4.7 yards per carry in 12 career games.
Last week, anticipating Mitchell’s return, the 49ers traded running back Jeff Wilson to the Dolphins for a fifth-round pick. Wilson was deemed expendable because of the trade for Mccaffrey, who in his second game with his new team became the first player since 2005 to account for passing, rushing and receiving touchdowns in the same game as the 49ers beat the Rams 31-14 on Oct. 30.
“Getting (Mccaffrey) into this offense with (head coach) Kyle (Shanahan) and the offensive minds that we have, they are going to make sure he can help us make a lot of plays,” linebacker Azeez Al-shaair said. “And we saw that.”
The looming one-two backfield punch was among a host of reasons for optimism Monday as the 49ers (4-4) looked toward the season’s second half. Wide receiver
Deebo Samuel (hamstring), fullback Kyle Juszczyk (finger) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (hamstring) all returned to practice after they were sidelined against the Rams. In addition, AlShaair (knee) and reserve offen
sive tackle Colton Mckivitz (knee) joined Mitchell in having their practice windows opened.
Al-shaair, who wasn’t expected to return until late November, said he expects to rejoin the NFL’S top-ranked defense against the Chargers. He suffered a sprained MCL in a loss at Denver on Sept. 25 that was viewed as a two-month injury.
“Initially, they thought it would be eight (weeks) — just up front, you’re usually conservative,” Al-shaair said. “And then you kind of just see where each person goes. And I was doing a lot better than they thought. So I was able to get back out there.”
The 49ers were still missing two key defensive starters Monday as defensive tackle Arik Armstead (foot, ankle) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (calf) remained sidelined.
Armstead has missed the past four games with plantar fasciitis and a left ankle issue. Shanahan said on Oct. 26 that the timeline for Armstead’s return was unclear because he was dealing with multiple injuries.
“I think it’s a few things,” Shanahan said. “Yeah, that’s why I don’t think it’s easy just to give you a word or a timeline. I’m not hiding anything.”
Roster moves:
The 49ers signed wide receiver Tajae Sharpe, 27, to their practice squad and released tight end Troy Fumagalli.
Sharpe, a 2016 fifthround pick of the Titans, had 25 catches for 230 yards in 15 games for the Falcons in 2021. He has 117 catches for 1,397 yards and eight touchdowns in his 66game career.