Usually for the 49ers, any injury news has been bad news this year. Not so much on Wednesday.
The offense has been ravaged by high-profile players throughout the season, but could get a couple of major reinforcements Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals in the Week 18 regular-season finale.
The 49ers opened a three-week practice window for running back Elijah Mitchell Wednesday, as he has been out since Week 12 with an MCL sprain. Sunday would mark six weeks since he got injured on a tackle against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 27. David Lombardi of The Athletic shared video of Mitchell practicing Wednesday.
It’s only a short clip, but Mitchell looks like he’s moving around well. Mitchell has appeared in just four games this season for the Niners, but has looked explosive and posted an impressive 5.6 yards per carry this season.
It’s worth noting that running back Christian McCaffrey (ankle/knee) didn’t practice Wednesday and has been banged-up in recent weeks, so the Niners might need Mitchell to be the bell cow. Undrafted rookie Jordan Mason, who scored his first NFL touchdown last week, is up next on the depth chart.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel also continued to practice Wednesday, his third session since suffering knee/ankle injuries against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14.
If Mitchell, Deebo and McCaffrey are healthy, the 49ers would be largely intact. Left guard Aaron Banks (ankle/knee) will be unavailable against the Cardinals but will be re-evaluated before the playoffs.
Coach Kyle Shanahan will have to determine his priorities on Sunday. The 49ers currently hold the No. 2 seed despite holding identical 12-4 records with the Vikings. Minnesota will kick off at 10 a.m. PT, so the 49ers will know that outcome by the time they start at 1:25 p.m. PT.
The Philadelphia Eagles also kick off at 1:25 p.m. PT and could lose their grasp on the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a loss and 49ers victory. The Dallas Cowboys (12-4) are also playing in the 1:25 p.m. PT window and could be a factor in the race for the NFC East and the No. 2 seed.
By halftime of their game, the 49ers could have a good read on whether or not they’ll get the No. 1 seed.
“We’ll see how it plays out and we’ll see what the situation is,” Shanahan said. “I know one thing, we would love to be No. 1 seed. But right now we got the No. 2 seed and want to make sure we at least stay the No. 2 seed. In order to do that, we need to win.”
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