SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Instantly after Sunday’s win towards the New Orleans Saints, the San Francisco 49ers have been dissatisfied that working again Elijah Mitchell sprained his left knee however optimistic it would not be critical sufficient to maintain him out for lengthy.
That optimism vanished Monday when additional testing on Mitchell’s knee revealed a sprained MCL strikingly much like the one he sustained in his proper knee in Week 1. Which is to say Mitchell will once more miss six to eight weeks and land on the injured reserve listing.
“It wasn’t the information we have been searching for,” coach Kyle Shanahan stated. “He is fairly dissatisfied. Everybody is aware of how good Elijah has been, how arduous he labored to get again from his final one, how good he is been enjoying since he got here again, and to form of be proper again there, I do know he was actual down on it. It is unlucky for him. He is simply had some actual unhealthy luck.”
Mitchell suffered a proper knee sprain in a Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears and returned in Week 10 towards the Los Angeles Chargers after he was activated from injured reserve. Below league guidelines, gamers who’ve been on injured reserve and introduced again can undergo the method once more in the identical season.
The Niners hope that they’ll prolong their season lengthy sufficient for Mitchell to return once more.
“He is aware of what’s forward of him,” Shanahan stated. “He is simply going to have about six weeks of frustration, however hopefully we are able to do our job right here so when he comes again, we’re nonetheless enjoying.”
Mitchell suffered the damage early within the third quarter when he bought rolled up on. He tried to proceed enjoying however quickly needed to exit the sport and was dominated out. He departed with seven carries for 35 yards and two catches for 8 yards.
Mitchell is not the one Niners working again coping with a knee difficulty popping out of Sunday’s recreation. Starter Christian McCaffrey has what Shanahan is asking “irritation” in his left knee and must be managed all through this week of follow earlier than Sunday’s assembly with the Miami Dolphins.
These points depart rookies Jordan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Worth as the one wholesome working backs on San Francisco’s lively roster. Mason closed out the sport Sunday with 5 carries for 25 yards.
“It was actually spectacular,” Shanahan stated. “I believe you would really feel him such as you did within the preseason when he bought these carries. I do know we might from the sidelines … That was actual encouraging, and it may open up some alternatives for him and in addition for Ty to get an opportunity to get again on the market.”
Proper guard Spencer Burford (sprained proper ankle) was the one different 49ers damage of be aware Sunday. Shanahan stated Burford might return to follow as quickly as late this week.
In higher damage information, the 49ers prevented any vital issues with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who was in ache after Sunday’s recreation from a success he took to his decrease left leg and knee.
“It was a aid that no critical accidents got here up,” Shanahan stated. “I do know he is fairly sore right this moment and stuff. So, hopefully he’ll work that out by Wednesday however nothing critical.”
The Niners might additionally welcome again a key defensive participant this week as defensive lineman Arik Armstead, who has been out since Week 4 with foot and ankle accidents, is anticipated to follow Wednesday after rejoining the staff final Friday.
San Francisco additionally made a notable roster transfer Monday, signing veteran cornerback Janoris Jenkins to the follow squad. In 10 NFL seasons, Jenkins has performed in 142 video games with 575 tackles, 124 passes defended and 27 interceptions.
“To have a veteran who can play and get him on our follow squad, we love that,” Shanahan stated. “We felt Janoris fell proper into that line. If he would have executed it earlier, we might have executed it (some time) in the past.”
