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Is running back Elijah Mitchell Injured Or Healthy? Will he have any fantasy value for the upcoming season? Andrew Ball provides insight and analysis.
When healthy, Elijah Mitchell has proven himself to be one of the most valuable insurance running backs in fantasy football. He is second on the depth chart behind Christian McCaffrey on a team that prefers to run the ball. He's also proven he can be productive with his touches, averaging 4.65 yards per carry and 963 rushing yards during his rookie season.
Injuries have, unfortunately, taken him out for chunks at a time during his brief career. During his freshman campaign, he missed six games with a shoulder problem, finger fracture, concussion, and knee sprain. Despite missing time, Mitchell was still slated to be the 49ers' lead back to begin 2022.
A soft tissue injury held Mitchell out of camp for several weeks. He returned in time for Week 1, only to leave with a knee sprain. After seven games on the shelf, Mitchell returned for three games, before suffering another MCL injury and missing five more games.
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State of the 49ers Running Back Depth Chart
Christian McCaffrey remains the bell cow, both in the running and passing game for San Francisco. He'll be one of the first players off the board in fantasy football drafts. Behind him sits Mitchell, and second-year backs Tyrion Davis-Price and Jordan Mason.
Davis-Price, a third-round rookie, got the first crack at extra work with the absence of Mitchell last season, before suffering an injury himself. When he returned, he was largely relegated to reserve duty.
Mason, who was signed as an undrafted free agent, shined in spurts when given an opportunity. He rushed for over 50 yards in three straight weeks, including a 56-yard run against the Seahawks that iced the game in Week 15. Both backs have impressed so far in training camp.
Is Elijah Mitchell Injured Or Healthy?
Elijah Mitchell is suffering from an abductor strain, which is expected to hold him out of training camp for at least a week.
If Mitchell's ailment were to linger into the regular season, or he suffers another injury, the third-string running back battle between Davis-Price and Mason becomes one to watch for fantasy managers. The winner would provide insurance for McCaffrey managers, or those looking to score on a lottery ticket draft pick.
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