49ers RB Elijah Mitchell ACTIVE for Week 10 vs. Chargers

Nov 13, 2022, 4:17 PM

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 11: Elijah Mitchell #25. of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 11, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

It’s official, running back Elijah Mitchell re-joins the 49ers for Sunday night football.

Activated off the IR Saturday, Mitchell is active for Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He has been absent from the lineup since suffering an MCL sprain during Week 1’s road trip to Chicago. Prior to getting hurt, the former Ragin’ Cajun was off to a terrific start, rushing six times for 41 yards before leaving the game in the second quarter.

The injury landed Mitchell on the reserve list with a timetable of six to eight weeks before returning to the field. With a Week 9 Bye week set for the Red & Gold this season, head coach Kyle Shanahan opted to give the tailback another week of recovery, before returning for the stretch run.

“I’m excited,” Elijah Mitchell told NBC Sports Bay Area during the bye. “I’m just excited to come in and help out even more. It’s going to be awesome.”

Elijah Mitchell 🤝 Christian McCaffrey pic.twitter.com/cvdegroSIC

— KNBR (@KNBR) November 7, 2022

The 49ers will have even more reinforcements Sunday night as linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, offensive tackle Colton McKivitz, and defensive lineman Jordan Willis have all been activated from injured reserve. In total, San Francisco will get eight starters/rotational players back for Week 10, including wide receiver Deebo Samuel, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

Sunday wasn’t all good news however, as defensive end Samson Ebukam will be held out with a quad injury suffered at Monday’s practice. With Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw both still on the mend, other linemen will have to step up for the Red & Gold Sunday night, including rookie DE Drake Jackson.

“I think he’s contributing to us,” Shanahan stated Friday. “I think he’s a very talented player who does help us out and I see much more room to grow. I think the more powerful he gets, the more physical he can get, grow into his body. There’s a lot more there, but I’ve been happy with him.”