49ers RB Elijah Mitchell is doubtful for Week 11 at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Related Players: Trey Sermon, Jeff Wilson Jr.

Against an inferior opponent, it is best to give Mitchell another week to heal from finger surgery. Look for Wilson to be the lead back Sunday.

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell missed Thursday's practice with rib and finger injuries.

Mitchell broke his finger in Week 10's win over the Cardinals but is still expected to play this weekend. The rookie was dealing with a rib injury prior to last week's contest, so it is likely that the 49ers would play it safe with their starter even if he had not suffered the finger injury. With that said, Mitchell's practice participation on Friday will likely dictate his Week 11 availability, so fantasy managers will want to monitor this situation closely. Mitchell is our 18th ranked running back for Week 11.

49ers RB Elijah Mitchell had a finger fracture. He's going to get it fixed but unclear just yet what his status for this week will be against Jacksonville.

Related players: Jeff Wilson, Trey Sermon

Wagoner went on to say in another tweet that Shanahan said doctors are "pretty optimistic" Mitchell will be OK. And there's a chance Mitchell will be able to practice Wednesday. Wagoner added the team just wants to see how he's doing after getting pin put in finger during procedure. The Niners play the Jags in Week 11, so if they assume they can win the game, maybe sitting Mitchell a week makes some sense. Wilson saw limited snaps behind Mitchell in Week 10 and would likely get a bulk of the work if Mitchell has to miss time. There could even be another Trey Sermon citing if Mitchell is out.

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Mitchell is dealing with a rib injury, but his ability to log a limited practice during the first session of the week is an excellent sign for his potential Week 10 availability. He should get the start barring any setbacks but may be listed as questionable on Saturday's final injury report. Mitchell is our 18th ranked running back for Week 10.

49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (ribs) and Deebo Samuel (calf) are questionable for Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. Both are expected to play.

Keep an extra player available in case either were to miss.

Shanahan said kicker Robbie Gould and running back Jeff Wilson are set to work.

Related players: Elijah Mitchell

Gould’s been on injured reserve with a groin injury and Wilson is on the PUP list with a knee injury. Wilson’s extended time out of action could delay his return to the active roster, the story said so Mitchell should continue to get the bulk of the work for now.

Shanahan said Elijah Mitchell emerged from the game with a rib injury. Said the rookie runner will be limited in practice on Wednesday.

Related players: JaMycal Hasty, Trey Sermon, Jeff Wilson

It seems like Mitchell should be able to play in Week 9 at home against the Cardinals. Hasty got just three carries last week for four yards but reports say Wilson could be back to practice this week as well. The 49ers play a late-afternoon game in Week 9 so owners should probably try to come up with a backup plan just in case Mitchell trends downward this week.

49ers RB JaMycal Hasty (ankle) will be activated from IR and play Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Related Player: Elijah Mitchell

Mitchell is the lead back in San Francisco, but Hasty's return will help with a game that could be plagued by heavy rain.

As part of a mailbag question, someone asked what the game plan would look like with Trey Lance under center.

I expect it will be a “Back to the Future”-type situation for Kyle Shanahan and Mike McDaniel, who had rookies at quarterback (Robert Griffin III) and running back (Alfred Morris) when they were assistants in Washington in 2012. That team led the NFL in rushing and went to the playoffs. Morris finished with 1,613 rushing yards and Griffin with 815 yards.

Related players: Elijah Mitchell, Trey Sermon, Jimmy Garoppolo

The story said the one big difference is Lance attempted 318 passes at North Dakota State while Griffin attempted 1,192 throws at Baylor, which points more to a run-heavy attack. Anther issue is Sermon has only been OK as a runner over two games, and even if Mitchell returns from a shoulder injury, he's a rookie as well, so there are a lot of questions with the run game. The Niners do have the luxury of a bye in Week 6.

Kyle Shanahan also hopes that Elijah Mitchell will be able to take the blue no-contact jersey off this week. A speedy RB would be another welcome return for the 49ers.

Related players: Trey Sermon

Sermon has been OK over the last two weeks but the feeling is he didn't take control of the RB1 job. At this point, if anything, the 49ers could really use Mitchell on third down or passing downs. It may take a week or so to figure out how the workload will be split up when Mitchell returns with Sermon, but it looks like Mitchell could be back on track for Week 5. The Niners do have a bye in Week 6.