49ers RB Elijah Mitchell INACTIVE for NFC Championship game

Jan 29, 2023, 10:02 AM | Updated: 10:40 am

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 22: Elijah Mitchell #25 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes during the NFC Divisional playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys 19-12. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Not a great start to the day for the San Francisco 49ers, already without Elijah Mitchell.

The 49ers announced that running back Elijah Mitchell will be inactive for the NFC Championship game against the Eagles Sunday. Mitchell has been nursing a groin injury sustained against the Cowboys in the divisional round. ESPN Insider Adam Schefter stated that the expectation was for Mitchell to play today, but other reports contradicted the ESPN staffer, including Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.

Unable to practice to start the week, Mitchell was able to work in a limited fashion during Friday’s walkthrough. But with the elevation of RB Tevin Coleman off the practice squad Saturday, it looks like Mitchell hasn’t done enough to get the nod Sunday. A second-year player, Mitchell has been off the field for a large chunk of the 2022 season, suffering two MCL sprains over the course of the regular season.

Another injured player, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo could return to practice next week if the 49ers win Sunday.

Garoppolo has been recovering from an fractured foot suffered Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins. Undergoing an X-Ray Tuesday, scans revealed he is at the point of practice being an option, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Officially listed as inactive for the NFC Championship game, a return in a backup role for the Super Bowl is in play for Jimmy G, if the team advances.

From @NFLGameDay: #49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo has healed enough to where practicing and backing up in the Super Bowl is now possible. pic.twitter.com/kH2Pxg2z7J
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 29, 2023

Meanwhile, Schefter also reported that 49ers’ defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is the favorite to land with the Houston Texans as their next head coach.

Ryans, 38, has been a coveted name in the coaching carousel over the past 12 months, turning down a second interview with the Minnesota Vikings after last season to remain in the Bay Area. He has been more eager to take the leap this time around, conducting interviews with the Denver Broncos and Texans last week. He was interviewed by the Texans on Jan. 20th, and is expected to meet with them once more after the NFC Championship game this week.

Ryans was drafted by the Texans in 2006, spending six years in Houston. A two-time Pro Bowl linebacker with the franchise, the organization is hopeful he can turn around their recent misfortunes.