Kyle Shanahan expects Elijah Mitchell to get some snaps during 49ers-Cardinals

The San Francisco 49ers opened the practice window for Elijah Mitchell this week. The running back is attempting to return from his second MCL sprain of the season and could be suited up this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals. Expect the team to activate Mitchell from the injured reserve list before Sunday’s kickoff.

“He’s had a great week of practice,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday afternoon on KNBR’s Tolbert & Copes show. “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.”

There is a reason for the 49ers to compete in their regular-season finale. They are currently the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff picture. A win and a Philadelphia Eagles loss could give them the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage. Of course, a loss and a Minnesota Vikings win would drop them to the No. 3 seed.

The 49ers made Mitchell a sixth-round draft pick out of Louisiana in 2021. The second-year running back has recorded 224 rushing yards on 40 carries (5.6 yards per carry) through his four game appearances this season. He has been on the injured reserve list since December 3.

You can listen to the entire conversation with Shanahan below.

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