Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers acknowledges mishandling Christian McCaffrey-Elijah Mitchell’s utilization.

Throughout his rookie season in 2021, operating again Elijah Mitchell was continuously relied upon by the 49ers. Nonetheless, with the addition of Christian McCaffrey to the workforce, Mitchell is discovering it tough to even get on the sector. Within the current 30-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Mitchell was considered one of 4 energetic and wholesome gamers who didn’t see any motion. In distinction, McCaffrey performed each offensive snap for the 49ers. Coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged that the workforce made a mistake by not rotating the operating backs and expressed the necessity to give Mitchell extra enjoying time.

McCaffrey presently leads the NFL in speeding makes an attempt and yards via two weeks, emphasizing his significance to the workforce. Within the Week 1 win towards the Pittsburgh Steelers, McCaffrey rushed for 152 yards whereas Mitchell solely performed 10 snaps. Shanahan defined that the accountability for substitutions often falls on the place coaches, together with his focus totally on play-calling. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that he ought to have observed Mitchell’s lack of enjoying time and advocated for his inclusion.

Regardless of battling accidents throughout his rookie season, Mitchell emerged as a big contributor when he was on the sector. In his remaining 5 common season video games, he had a number of video games with over 20 speeding makes an attempt and carried the ball 27 instances within the 49ers’ playoff-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys. Nonetheless, Mitchell’s enjoying time decreased considerably after McCaffrey joined the workforce mid-season.

Whereas McCaffrey is undoubtedly a prime operating again within the league, Mitchell nonetheless deserves a task within the 49ers’ offense. Shanahan acknowledged the necessity to rectify the dearth of rotation and be sure that Mitchell receives extra enjoying time sooner or later.