Mitchell rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts while catching both of his targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 21-20 loss to the Rams.

EDGE Analysis

The NFC's No. 1 seed opted to sit multiple stars in Week 18 with nothing to play for. Mitchell took full advantage of Christian McCaffrey's absence by leading the team in all rushing categories and scoring his second touchdown in as many weeks. The oft-injured Mitchell was dealing with an illness during the practice week but seemed 100 percent Sunday, and with an extra week of rest in store for all San Francisco players due to a first-round playoff bye, he should be available to back up CMC when the team resumes play in the divisional round.

Mitchell (illness) doesn't have a game designation for Sunday against the Rams, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mitchell overcame an illness and may now make his first start of the season with Christian McCaffrey (calf) ruled out for Sunday's game. It is possible Jordan Mason and/or Tyrion Davis-Price also get some of McCaffrey's usual snaps/touches, especially with the 49ers locked into the No. 1 seed for the NFC playoffs.

Mitchell (illness) was limited at practice Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mitchell wasn't able to mix into drills Wednesday due to an illness, so his return in some capacity one day later is a step in the right direction as the 49ers prepare for Sunday's game against the Rams. The team will be without at least quarterback Brock Purdy (coach's decision) and running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) in that contest, which may lead to a more run-based focus with backup Sam Darnold under center. A healthy Mitchell would be the primary beneficiary, but even if he's less than 100 percent this weekend and able to suit up, he likely would be San Francisco's lead runner over Jordan Mason and practice-squad member Tyrion Davis-Price, if the latter is elevated. In five appearances since the team's Week 9 bye, Mitchell has averaged 4.6 yards on his 39 carries.

Mitchell didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 49ers already have ruled out top running back Christian McCaffrey for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rams due to a strained right calf, which would give Mitchell an opportunity to be the team's No. 1 back under normal circumstances Week 18. But with an illness in tow, it can't be counted on. Mitchell has two more chances this week to log on-field work, but in the meantime Jordan Mason and practice-squad member Tyrion Davis-Price represent the healthy options at the position on San Francisco's roster.

Mitchell profiles as the next man up to lead the San Francisco backfield in Sunday's game against the Rams with Christian McCaffrey (calf) having been ruled out for Week 18, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though head coach Kyle Shanahan has classified the injury McCaffrey suffered in the Week 17 win over the Commanders as a "mild" right calf strain, the 49ers won't take any chances with their star tailback in a regular-season finale that has no implications with San Francisco having already clinched a first-round bye and homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Mitchell is thus in the line to draw the Week 18 start, though given his own history of knee concerns, he may not necessarily handle the near-every-down, high-volume role out of the backfield that McCaffrey typically takes on. To that end, Matt Barrows of The Athletic suggests that Jordan Mason -- and perhaps even practice-squad member Tyrion Davis-Price -- could see heavy workloads Week 18, meaning that Mitchell may not represent as appealing of a DFS option as he may seem on the surface if the 49ers elect to be cautious with his usage.

Mitchell racked up 17 carries for 80 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 27-10 win at Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Mitchell was afforded only one rush in the first half, but after Christian McCaffrey exited in the third quarter due to a calf injury, the former was the 49ers' lead runner the rest of the way. The performance marked just Mitchell's second of 2023 with double-digit carries, and he also recorded his first touchdown of the campaign on a two-yard plunge. Per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, coach Kyle Shanahan relayed after the game that McCaffrey may have a strained calf, so with San Francisco locking up the No. 1 seed in the NFC with Sunday's victory, Mitchell could be the team's top back Week 18 against the Rams.

Mitchell (knee) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

EDGE Analysis

The full listing backs up what head coach Kyle Shanahan told Matt Barrows of The Athletic on Tuesday, when he said Mitchell will be "full go" for Week 17. With an uncapped practice under this belt, Mitchell is poised to put an end to a three-game absence Sunday at Washington. In his nine appearances this season, he's averaged 3.4 yards on 44 carries and also gathered in four of six targets for minus-1 yard while working behind workhorse back Christian McCaffrey.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that Mitchell (knee) is expected to be "full go" in Week 17, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Shanahan didn't specifically say that Mitchell will be a full participant in practice when the 49ers open Week 17 prep Wednesday, but the running back will presumably get back to full activity no later than Friday to guarantee his availability for Sunday's game in Washington. Assuming he navigates the practice week unscathed, Mitchell should reclaim the No. 2 role behind starting running back Christian McCaffrey after Jordan Mason took on those duties each of the previous three weeks.

Mitchell (knee) is listed as inactive Monday versus the Ravens, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mitchell was able to muster a pair of limited practices during Week 16 prep, but it wasn't enough for him to return to action for the first time since Week 13. He'll thus cede reserve RB reps to Jordan Mason and perhaps Jeremy McNichols behind workhorse Christian McCaffrey on Monday. Mitchell's next chance to play is Sunday at Washington.

Mitchell (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Ravens, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite not practicing Thursday or Friday, Mitchell has been given a chance to make himself available to the 49ers backfield for the first time since Week 13. Such a decision won't become known until about 90 minutes before Monday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but if Mitchell can't suit up, Jordan Mason and Jeremy McNichols will be the RB options behind top runner Christian McCaffrey.