The 49ers technically have two starting-caliber running backs. One is simply injured most of the time.
Elijah Mitchell missed most of the last month with a knee injury that has been bothering him for the good part of the past two seasons. But now he's healthy, while starter Christian McCaffrey is injured -- he strained his calf last week against the Commanders and will miss Week 18 against the Rams.
Once McCaffrey went down against Washington, Mitchell replaced him and finished the game with 17 carries, 80 yards and 1 touchdown -- he looked as good as he ever has. And remember, it was his first game since the 49ers beat the Eagles on Dec. 3.
"When he comes back, he comes back and he's fully healthy," head coach Kyle Shanahan said. "We thought about him going the week before. He was starting to show some things in practice, but getting one more week, allow him to go with the other guys, I think it got him fully a hundred percent. When Elijah's a hundred percent, like I've always said, he is one of the better backs in this league. He's going to go in and run like he always does. That's a skillset he's always had, since the first day he's gotten here. When he's good to go, he always looks like Elijah."
Mitchell had a slow start this season, but since the bye week he's averaging 4.6 yards per carry, which is great news for the 49ers, because he's just another weapon they can use in the playoffs. Mitchell has been one of their best players since 2021, and he never has fumbled in his career.
The 49ers will be extremely difficult to beat.
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