After destroying the Eagles and making a major statement this past Sunday, the 49ers seem to be sitting any player who's slightly injured this week. And that means Elijah Mitchell probably won't play.
The 49ers list Mitchell as doubtful with a knee injury. Truthfully, Mitchell probably could be on the injury report every week with a knee injury -- he has been battling pain and soreness in that knee the past two seasons. Whenever it seems like he's been healthy for a month or two, he reinjures his knee. It's possible his body just isn't cut out to play running back in the NFL for more than a few seasons. We'll see.
In the meantime, the 49ers backup running back will be Jordan Mason, who's averaging a whopping 5.5 yards per carry this season. As opposed to Mitchell, who's averaging just 3.4 yards per carry this season, and clearly hasn't been himself in quite a while.
Fortunately, the 49ers have Mason, who should have been the No. 2 running back over Mitchell all season. Mason simply is healthier, bigger and more powerful. But he's younger than Mitchell, who has started playoff games for the 49ers, so they have a sentimental attachment to him. They trust him, and they remember what he used to be able to do. They believe he'll be able to do those things again if he could just stay healthy for a while. So far, he can't stay healthy.
So it's good that the 49ers will get to see what they have in Mason. Because if he plays well, he could be their secret weapon in the playoffs.
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