We start looking for Mitchell in Fantasy drafts once we get to Round 10. His upside is enormous if Christian McCaffrey goes down with an injury, but Mitchell himself has missed enough time to be a concern. He was unable to log one game with a 50% snap share last year, but in his rookie season, he totaled 1,326 yards from scrimmage in 14 games including the playoffs. Mitchell played six games with McCaffrey last year, including the playoffs, and averaged just over 11 touches per week. He scored double-digit Fantasy points in two of those games. View him as a desperation flex for as long as McCaffrey is healthy and do your best to hold on to him once the bye weeks start.
49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Just three carries behind CMC
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Mitchell rushed three times for 13 yards and was not targeted in the passing game in Sunday's 42-19 rout of the Eagles.
Mitchell experienced a dip in usage Sunday with Christian McCaffrey (17-93-1) and the rest of San Francisco's talented starting lineup taking care of business against Philadelphia. The three carries were Mitchell's lowest since Week 8 against Cincinnati. The 25-year-old has been running the ball well of late, maintaining a per-carry average above four yards for the third consecutive week. Mitchell should receive a handful of carries spelling CMC against Seattle next Sunday.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Stashes (RB Preview)
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Mitchell is fully healthy and back in his RB2 position in San Francisco. If something happens to McCaffrey during the Fantasy playoffs, Mitchell will be a league winner. He's exactly the type of player first and second place teams should be stashing.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Week 13 Waiver Priority List
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Mitchell should be added in all leagues since he's a lottery ticket in case something happens to Christian McCaffrey. That's really all there is to say. If McCaffrey were to miss any time, then Mitchell would be a must-start Fantasy running back in all leagues. You should stash Mitchell for up to 5 percent of your FAB.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Strings together two solid games
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Mitchell carried the ball seven times for 39 yards and caught his lone target for a loss of three yards in Thursday's 31-13 win over the Seahawks.
Mitchell didn't post a notable fantasy line per se, but this was the second game in a row where the backup looked like his old self with the ball in his hands. The oft-injured back logged 17 snaps on offense (26 percent) while Christian McCaffrey went off for 100-plus rushing yards and a pair of scores Thursday. The 49ers will presumably lean on CMC as much as possible in Week 13 for a benchmark game against Philadelphia on Dec. 3. The 49ers' schedule softens up considerably after that, which could open up opportunities for Mitchell to get some extra run and become a potential deep-league option down the stretch.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Stashes (RB Preview)
Rotowire
Mitchell is fully healthy and back in his RB2 position in San Francisco. If something happens to McCaffrey during the Fantasy playoffs, Mitchell will be a league winner. He's exactly the type of player first and second place teams should be stashing.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Logs eight snaps on offense Sunday
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Mitchell had four carries for 24 yards and was not targeted as a receiver in Sunday's 27-14 win over the Buccaneers.
Mitchell spelled starter Christian McCaffrey for eight offensive snaps Sunday, which is right around what the backup has been receiving through seven appearances this season. The 25-year-old managed to average more than four yards per tote for the first time in 2023, but his season average still sits at an unsavory mark of 2.9 yards. Mitchell simply isn't receiving enough touches to offset his regression as a runner this season, leaving the backup with little to no fantasy value for Thursday's tilt against the Seahawks.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Logs eight carries over 17 snaps
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Mitchell rushed eight times for 23 yards and was not targeted in Sunday's 34-3 win over the Jaguars.
Mitchell maintained a small role on offense even with star wideout and pseudo-RB2 Deebo Samuel (shoulder) returning to the lineup Sunday. It is worth noting that seven of Mitchell's eight carries came in garbage time with the 49ers leading by more than four touchdowns. Had the game been closer, the 49ers' official No. 2 back would likely have been limited to the one carry he received in the second quarter of the lopsided victory. Mitchell will find it tough to generate fantasy value in such a limited role on offense against Tampa Bay next Sunday.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Gets 12 percent of snaps
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Mitchell had three carries for two yards and failed to bring in his lone target in Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Bengals.
Mitchell was the only 49ers backup running back to receive carries for the second straight week. The 25-year-old wound up logging seven snaps on offense, but he barely made an impact in the box score Sunday. Mitchell's inconsistent play combined with a smaller role on offense this year should keep him out of fantasy lineups when San Francisco returns from its bye to face the Jaguars on Sunday, Nov. 12.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Only backup with touches Monday
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Mitchell lost one yard on his only carry in Monday's 22-17 loss to the Vikings.
Starting tailback Christian McCaffrey (oblique) did not leave the field in Monday's loss despite playing at less than 100 percent. Mitchell was still able to get on the field via two-back sets for four offensive snaps (eight percent). The 25-year-old wound up being the only other backup to touch the ball against Minnesota despite losing favor to the hotter Jordan Mason in recent weeks. Mitchell appears to still be No. 2 on depth chart heading into next Sunday's game against Cincinnati despite struggling with his production (2.5 YPC) when he has been healthy enough to play this season.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Sleeper RBs
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We'll be watching the 49ers practice reports closely to see if Christian McCaffrey (oblique) can play Monday night at Minnesota. If he's out then expect a tandem of Mitchell and Jordan Mason, and Mitchell will likely get the majority of touches. It's not an easy matchup against the Vikings, who are No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. But if Mitchell is going to get the bulk of the touches then I'd view him as a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues. He has 11 games in his career with at least 13 total touches, and he's averaging 14.6 PPR points over that span. One of those games was against Minnesota in Week 12 in 2021 when he scored a career-high 27.8 PPR points. Also, keep an eye on Deebo Samuel (shoulder), and if he's out along with McCaffrey, then Mitchell could be in line for a big game. As for Mason, consider him a flex if McCaffrey is out.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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We'll be watching the 49ers practice reports closely on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to see if Christian McCaffrey (oblique) can play Monday night at Minnesota. If he's out, expect a tandem of Mitchell and Jordan Mason, and Mitchell will likely get the majority of touches. It's not an easy matchup against the Vikings, who are No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. But if Mitchell is going to get the bulk of the touches, I'd view him as a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues. He has 11 games in his career with at least 13 total touches, and he's averaging 14.6 PPR points over that span. One of those games was Week 12 against Minnesota in 2021 when he scored a career-high 27.8 PPR points. Also, keep an eye on Deebo Samuel (shoulder), and if he's out along with McCaffrey, then Mitchell could be in line for a big game. As for Mason, consider him a flex if McCaffrey is out.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Week 7 Adds (RB Preview)
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The situation in San Francisco is a fluid one, so make sure you check the latest news before making your final waiver claims. If Christian McCaffrey misses Week 7, we expect a split between Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell. Mason saw most of the work in Week 6, so we lean toward him, but both backs would be worth starting as flexes at least. Mitchell should do most of the work in the passing game, but Mason is expected to be the lead rusher.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Returning to action Sunday
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Mitchell (knee) is listed as active Sunday at Cleveland, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Mitchell has been plagued by knee injuries during his two-plus seasons as a pro, but the current issue will force him to miss only two games. Now that he's available to San Francisco's offense, he should get any of the RB reps that don't go to Christian McCaffrey. On the campaign, Mitchell has averaged 3.3 yards on his 16 carries and also gathered in three of four targets for two yards.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Questionable for Sunday
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Mitchell (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Cleveland, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
A return to practice Thursday gives Mitchell at least some chance to avoid a third straight absence due to a knee injury suffered during practice. Jordan Mason has been filling in as the No. 2 RB behind Christian McCaffrey, with the role mostly consisting of garbage-time carries.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Limited in return to practice
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Mitchell (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
A knee injury sidelined Mitchell from every practice since the Thursday of Week 4 prep and also the 49ers' past two contests, but with his return to drills this Thursday, he seemingly is drawing closer to game action. Friday's session and subsequent practice report may be telling for his chances to suit up Sunday at Cleveland. If Mitchell is unable to, Jordan Mason will continue to get any RB reps that don't go to top option Christian McCaffrey.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Practicing Thursday
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Mitchell (knee) returned to practice Thursday, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
This marks Mitchell's first visible on-field work since the Thursday before a Week 4 matchup with the Cardinals. A knee injury has conspired to sidelined him for the last two games, but by mixing into drills in the middle of Week 6 prep, he's giving himself a chance to be available Sunday at Cleveland. First, though, Mitchell's activity level this Thursday will become known once the 49ers release their practice report.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Still not practicing
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Mitchell (knee) won't practice Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Mitchell has missed the last two games due to a knee injury, and his inability to practice to kick off Week 6 prep could mean another absence is on the horizon this Sunday in Cleveland. As long as Mitchell is sidelined, Jordan Mason will be next in line to absorb any snaps and touches that don't go to the 49ers' top running back, Christian McCaffrey.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Not practicing
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Mitchell (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Mitchell barely played the first two weeks of the season and then suffered a knee injury when he picked up 13 touches in a 30-13 win over the Giants in Week 3. He missed the Week 4 win over Arizona and now appears in danger of missing Sunday's game against Dallas, though a report earlier this week suggested the Niners consider him day-to-day. In any case, lead back Christian McCaffrey is unlikely to come off the field much Sunday in a battle between NFC heavyweights.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Day-to-day for Week 5
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Mitchell (knee) is viewed as day-to-day as Sunday's game against the Cowboys approaches, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Mitchell sat out the 49ers' Week 4 win over the Cardinals after being added to the team's injury report this past Friday, but it appears as though he has a chance to return to action this weekend. In his absence versus Arizona, Jordan Mason logged three carries for 10 yards while working behind starting RB Christian McCaffrey.
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49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Likely to sit out Sunday
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Mitchell (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, isn't expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
After being listed as a non-participant in Friday's practice due to a knee injury, Mitchell will likely be inactive for the contest, with resolution on his status set to arrive prior to Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. With Mitchell likely sitting out, Tyron Davis-Price will likely be active for the first time all season as the Niners' No. 3 running back, with Jordan Mason replacing Mitchell as Christian McCaffrey's top backup.
