49ers activate RB Elijah Mitchell off IR; elevate DL Michael Dwumfour and CB Janoris Jenkins from practice squad

The San Francisco 49ers activated running back Elijah Mitchell from injured reserve Saturday, making him available for Sunday’s season finale against the Arizona Cardinals.

Mitchell has missed all but four games this season due to two MCL sprains, the first of which he sustained in his right knee during the 49ers’ Week 1 loss against the Chicago Bears on September 11. The injury put Mitchell on injured reserve until November 12, then he sprained his right MCL during the 49ers’ Week 12 win over the New Orleans Saints on November 27. The 49ers opened Mitchell’s 21-day practice window to return to the roster earlier this week.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told KNBR’s Tolbert & Copes show on Thursday that he expected to get Mitchell some playing time against the Cardinals.

“He’s had a great week of practice,” Shanahan said. “He looked real good today, and I’ll talk to him here over Friday and Saturday, but right now, I’m expecting to get him up, and I expect to play him a little bit here on Sunday.”

Mitchell has 40 carries for 224 yards in four games this season after rushing for 963 yards and five touchdowns on 207 carries in 11 games as a rookie in 2021. Mitchell joins Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Price to give the 49ers a full crop of running backs as they head towards the postseason.

The 49ers also activated defensive lineman Michael Dwumfour and cornerback Janoris Jenkins from the practice squad (standard elevations). Dwumfour was first signed to the practice squad on December 13 after being waived by the Houston Texans on November 7, while Jenkins joined the practice squad on November 28. Dwumfour made an appearance in the 49ers’ Week 16 win over the Washington Commanders, while Jenkins played in the 49ers’ Week 15 win over the Seattle Seahawks.