When healthy, Elijah Mitchell has been the first running back off the bench whenever Christian McCaffrey needs a rest. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers still have confidence in the former sixth-round draft pick, who had an impressive rookie season in 2021, rushing for 963 yards. But they also have confidence in another young player.
Mitchell has missed 18 games over the past two seasons and has yet to surpass 300 rushing yards since that standout 2021 performance. The 49ers also have another capable back in Jordan Mason, who was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022. While Mason's career rushing yards might not seem impressive at first glance, his 5.6 yards per carry surpasses Mitchell's and McCaffrey's averages.
Shanahan spoke to reporters after Monday's practice and didn't come out and declare a competition for the backup running back job, but he hinted at it.
"I'd say, nothing against Elijah, there's been no falloff in Elijah at all, but JP (Mason) runs at a very high level," Shanahan said. "I see both of those guys, that if Christian's not in there, not going, I mean we always expect, no matter who we've had in the past, that number two, number three, sometimes our fourth guy comes in, and if their number is called, we expect them to run like a starting back. It's just how many reps did they get at it, how long did they last at things like that.
"JP wasn't there right away, but he got there pretty quick. And he did a hell of a job for us last year, and we'll see how camp plays out. But I love both of those guys, and got some depth behind them, too."
McCaffrey commented on Mason last week, noting significant improvements in the third-year running back.
"I think he looks way more complete than he has been," McCaffrey said. "He's always been able to do it. It's just being consistent with it. And I think you see now—he's making things happen in the pass game and the run game that are just consistent with it."
Offensive line coach and run game coordinator Chris Foerster added, "He has become a better ball carrier. He was just such a hard-running, strong, physical, tough guy that he sheer-willed himself into yards. Now he's understanding the playbook better."
Isaac Guerendo's chances of climbing the depth chart took a hit last week after he suffered a hamstring injury. He is expected to miss "a few weeks," likely making it a two-player battle between Mitchell and Mason for the backup role moving forward.