The San Francisco 49ers exit their bye week looking to get healthier and make a run in the second half of the season. That will start on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi's Stadium.
As expected, the team is gearing up to get some previously injured players back. The 49ers have opened the practice windows for three players—running back Elijah Mitchell, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and offensive lineman Colton McKivitz.
Azeez Al-Shaair 💨 with Elijah Mitchell right behind him pic.twitter.com/DnA03Y5Fh9
— Jake Hutchinson (@hutchdiesel) November 7, 2022
Mitchell could return to the football field as early as this weekend. Al-Shaair may be a couple of weeks away, depending on his rehab progress. All three suffered MCL sprains. Mitchell landed on injured reserve on September 13. San Francisco placed Al-Shaair on injured reserve on October 3 and McKivitz on October 8.
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The team must make decisions on each player within 21 days. Failure to activate a player off injured reserve by then will result in that player remaining on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
The 49ers also officially announced the signing of wide receiver Tajae Sharpe to the practice squad, which NFL Network's Mike Garafolo first reported. The team released tight end Troy Fumagalli to make room on the practice squad.