Throughout his rookie season in 2021, operating again Elijah Mitchell was incessantly relied upon by the 49ers. Nonetheless, with the addition of Christian McCaffrey to the crew, Mitchell is discovering it tough to even get on the sphere. Within the latest 30-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Mitchell was considered one of 4 energetic and wholesome gamers who didn’t see any motion. In distinction, McCaffrey performed each offensive snap for the 49ers. Coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged that the crew made a mistake by not rotating the operating backs and expressed the necessity to give Mitchell extra taking part in time.

McCaffrey at present leads the NFL in speeding makes an attempt and yards by way of two weeks, emphasizing his significance to the crew. Within the Week 1 win in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers, McCaffrey rushed for 152 yards whereas Mitchell solely performed 10 snaps. Shanahan defined that the accountability for substitutions normally falls on the place coaches, together with his focus totally on play-calling. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that he ought to have seen Mitchell’s lack of taking part in time and advocated for his inclusion.

Regardless of battling accidents throughout his rookie season, Mitchell emerged as a big contributor when he was on the sphere. In his remaining 5 common season video games, he had a number of video games with over 20 speeding makes an attempt and carried the ball 27 occasions within the 49ers’ playoff-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys. Nonetheless, Mitchell’s taking part in time decreased considerably after McCaffrey joined the crew mid-season.

Whereas McCaffrey is undoubtedly a prime operating again within the league, Mitchell nonetheless deserves a job within the 49ers’ offense. Shanahan acknowledged the necessity to rectify the shortage of rotation and make sure that Mitchell receives extra taking part in time sooner or later.