After a rookie season full of bumps and bruises and a procedure on his knee in the spring, 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell seems to be in a good place as training camp proceeds.
Mitchell set a franchise rushing record for a rookie player in 2021 (963 yards), even though injuries limited him to 11 games. In April, Mitchell had a clean-up procedure on his knee, but he's been participating in drills at training camp and has been moving in the right direction as he gets back to full health.
"He has looked good," 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Saturday, per NBC Sports Bay Area. "He had a tough offseason just going back from injuries. He didn't get to do much in OTAs. It was great to get him out there these first three days. He is easing his way back into it. Just glad he's getting back to health."
Mitchell spoke to reporters after practice Saturday, providing an update on how he's been in recent days.
"I've been good," Mitchell said. "I'm excited about camp. I'll just continue to keep working hard and get through the season."
Mitchell will get tested in the coming week when pads come on at practice. But he's looking forward to it, and whatever contact comes his way.
"I'm excited about it," Mitchell said. "Being a running back you've got to have that mentality. So we're very excited to put on the pads Monday."
Adding bulk was one of Mitchell's goals heading into the offseason, and it sounds like he was successful. After being listed at 200 pounds as a rookie, Mitchell should be playing at a heavier weight in 2022.
"I was able to put a couple pounds on, just muscle-wise. I felt a little light last year so I just put on a little more," Mitchell said.
Mitchell is part of a crowded running back room that includes Jeff Wilson, Trey Sermon, JaMycal Hasty, and rookies Ty Davis-Price and Jordan Mason. There won't be room for all of them on the final roster, and the competition for carries will be stiff. But that hasn't stopped the six of them from forming a positive camaraderie, according to Mitchell.
"We push each other every day. There's no hate, no anything. We're all teammates," Mitchell said.