The 49ers will be without their top running back for an extended period of time. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Monday reported Mitchell will miss at least a few weeks and is undergoing on MRI to determine the full extent of the injury.
Mitchell exited Sunday’s season opener late in the first half after taking a helmet to the knee.
Losing Mitchell was part of the reason the 49ers’ offense bogged down in the second half. He rushed six times for 41 yards. His backup, Jeff Wilson Jr., ran it nine times for just 22 yards. Quarterback Trey Lance and wide receiver Deebo Samuel amassed 106 rushing yards on 21 attempts.
Injuries have been a problem for Mitchell in his career. He missed five games with various ailments last season, and now it sounds like he could miss that many just from this injury.
Behind Mitchell and Wilson the 49ers have a couple of rookies. Undrafted rookie Jordan Mason on Sunday was active for special teams purposes, but he didn’t see any time on offense. Third-round pick Tyrion Davis-Price was a healthy inactive. He figures to be next up with Mitchell out, and the 49ers could go to more of a by-committee approach in their backfield without their clear-cut No. 1 in Mitchell.
