The San Francisco 49ers place backup running back Elijah Mitchell on season ending IR.
The San Francisco 49ers place top back up running back, Elijah Mitchell on season ending IR. Tuesday was cut down day all 32 NFL teams to get their rosters down to 53 players. This move by the Niners allows them to retain Mitchell’s services for the 2025 season while freeing up a roster spot for the 2024 season. This leaves Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason, Patrick Taylor Jr. and rookie Isaac Guerendo as the four running back on the initial 53 man roster. This leaves Jordan Mason as the top backup to star Christian McCaffrey. Rookie Isaac Guerendo was thought to be cut if Elijah Mitchell was included on the roster. Guerendo now looks to be the Niner top kick returner after combatting injuries to showcase his rare athleticism on a 93-yard kick off return during the preseason.
This news is just in time for the flurry of fantasy football drafts coming up before the start of the NFL season. It is wheels up on Jordan Mason as his current ADP of 56 is absolutely stealing. His ADP will shoot up after this information, Mason should be going around the RB40 range now. Should the Football Gods allow McCaffrey to miss anytime, Mason is capable posting weekly top 5 numbers at running back for the Niners. Mason is a good target in the later rounds of your drafts coming up. As for Dynasty owners it is wise to stash Mason on your roster if he is available on your waiver wires. Mason is now one of the most valuable handcuffs at running back in all leagues.
San Francisco 49ers running backs Elijah Mitchell ...
San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell ...
With Christian McCaffrey receiving a training-camp rest day...
Elijah Mitchell has fallen from fantasy football glory, but is on the verge of being a Super Bowl champion.
The San Francisco 49er’s are going to the Super Bowl. Christian McCaffrey was acquired in a pivotal trade last season which has paid massive dividends. McCaffrey was RB1 for fantasy, scoring 24.5 fantasy points per game in 2023. The running backs matter crowd is dusting off their 90’s Starter jackets as we speak.
It wasn’t so long ago in 2021 that 6th round rookie Elijah Mitchell was a late round gem, scoring 15 fantasy points per game over the span of 11 games. Fantasy managers thought they had a solid Dynasty and Keeper league asset heading into 2022, but that was short lived due to injury and the unforgiving nature of the running back position.
What Elijah Mitchell offers in the Super Bowl is the ability to punch one in from near and short in the red zone as he did in the NFC Championship game versus the Detroit Lions. Mitchell only did so to spell Christian McCaffrey after a long run. His rushing line on UnderDog Pick Em’ is set at 3.5 yards. As you enjoy the Super Bowl and watch Christian McCaffrey get bell cow usage, Elijah Mitchell’s career arc can be a reminder of just how quickly things change in the NFL.
Christian McCaffrey is out for the final game of the regular season with a mild calf strain; Elijah Mitchell will be lead back in week 18.
During last week’s game against the Commanders, Christian McCaffrey suffered a calf strain and had to leave last week’s game early. However, his exit from the game was a precautionary measure as the 49ers were already in control of the game. As the team has now secured the number 1 seed in the NFC, there is no need for McCaffrey to play in week 18. Expect other 49er starters as well to be sitting in week 18.
McCaffrey will end his electric year with All-Pro numbers across the board with 1459 yards rushing, 2023 all-purpose yards, 21 touchdowns, and finishing the season in the MVP conversation.
Last week, Elijah Mitchell performed exceptionally well, carrying the ball 17 times for 80 yards and scoring a touchdown. With McCaffrey already ruled out, it is expected that Mitchell will continue to play a vital role in the 49ers’ backfield in week 18 along with Jordan Mason who will see some playing time as well.
Mitchell has been ruled out for his second game in a row and will miss this week’s matchup with the Cardinals.
Mitchell has had a minimal role in the team’s offense this season and is now out with a knee injury. As a result, Christian McCaffery will be the primary running back for the 49ers with Jordan Mason as his backup.
Although Mason has mainly played on special teams this season, he will now step up in Mitchell’s absence. He had some early success last week when he scored a touchdown after McCaffery’s 72-yard run down inside the 5.
