It was a standard prevalence for the 49ers to closely depend on rookie operating again Elijah Mitchell in 2021. Nonetheless, with the addition of Christian McCaffrey to the group, Mitchell is struggling to see any enjoying time.

Through the 49ers’ latest victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Mitchell was one among 4 energetic and wholesome gamers who didn’t get on the sector. In distinction, McCaffrey performed each offensive snap for the group. Coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that the group made a mistake with their operating again rotation and acknowledged the necessity to contain Mitchell extra.

McCaffrey at present leads the NFL in dashing makes an attempt and yards by way of two weeks of the season. Within the Week 1 win in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers, he rushed for 152 yards whereas Mitchell solely performed 10 snaps.

Shanahan talked about that the accountability for substitutions typically lies with the place coaches, whereas his major focus is on play-calling. Nonetheless, he additionally acknowledged that he ought to have seen and requested Mitchell’s involvement.

Throughout his rookie season, Mitchell battled accidents however carried a heavy workload when he was on the sector. In his final 5 common season video games, he had two video games with 27 dashing makes an attempt and three video games with a minimum of 21 carries. He additionally had 27 carries within the 49ers’ playoff-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Mitchell’s enjoying time considerably diminished with the arrival of McCaffrey in the course of final season. Whereas McCaffrey is taken into account probably the greatest operating backs within the league, it doesn’t imply that Mitchell shouldn’t have any function within the 49ers’ offense.