Throughout his rookie season in 2021, working again Elijah Mitchell was regularly relied upon by the 49ers. Nevertheless, with the addition of Christian McCaffrey to the workforce, Mitchell is discovering it tough to even get on the sector. Within the latest 30-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Mitchell was certainly 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 workforce made a mistake by not rotating the working backs and expressed the necessity to give Mitchell extra taking part in time.
McCaffrey at the moment leads the NFL in speeding makes an attempt and yards by two weeks, emphasizing his significance to the workforce. 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, along with his focus totally on play-calling. Nevertheless, 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 major contributor when he was on the sector. In his closing 5 common season video games, he had a number of video games with over 20 speeding makes an attempt and carried the ball 27 instances within the 49ers’ playoff-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys. Nevertheless, Mitchell’s taking part in time decreased considerably after McCaffrey joined the workforce mid-season.
Whereas McCaffrey is undoubtedly a prime working again within the league, Mitchell nonetheless deserves a task within the 49ers’ offense. Shanahan acknowledged the necessity to rectify the dearth of rotation and make sure that Mitchell receives extra taking part in time sooner or later.
