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It's playoff time for fantasy football and that means that injuries play an even bigger role. With that in mind, the 49ers are currently being bit by the injury bug. Elijah Mitchell has spent some time on the injury report throughout this season and this week is no exception.
Will Mitchell be ready for his Week 15 matchup against the Falcons? If not, is Jeff Wilson Jr. viable? How about JaMycal Hasty? What should we make of Deebo Samuel's increased rushing role? Let's answer all these questions heading into this weekend.
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Is Elijah Mitchell Playing In Week 15 Against the Falcons?
Elijah Mitchell was injured in Week 13 (knee, concussion) and did not play in Week 14 against the Bengals. There was some optimism that be would be able to return this week, but on Friday afternoon he was officially ruled out for the Week 15 game against the Atlanta Falcons:
This is an update to the original report on Mitchell's injury and Week 15 status below.
Is Elijah Mitchell Still Injured? Week 15 Injury Updates
Elijah Mitchell missed last week's contest with a concussion and a knee injury. However he seems to be heading in the right direction for Week 15 versus the Atlanta Falcons, and has a chance to play:
Of course, working on the side isn't a full practice but since it's only Thursday, this is an encouraging sign. The concussion seems to be the biggest obstacle to his availability moving forward. That means Mitchell would need to string together a few practices without any symptoms.
Pure speculation would have Mitchell cleared in time to play but this might be a truly 50-50 situation. Be sure to check back for further injury updates on Mitchell's status.
Should I Start Jeff Wilson Jr. or JaMycal Hasty?
Currently, it seems like Mitchell might be ready in time for the weekend, in which case, Mitchell would get the large majority of the running back touches. That said, if he misses this game, Jeff Wilson Jr. would replace him as the lead back. Last week, with Mitchell out, Wilson saw 13 carries for 56 yards. Meanwhile, JaMycal Hasty would be the receiving back as Wilson failed to see a single target while Hasty saw three of them.
However, the two running backs should be worried about Deebo Samuel. Last week, Samuel managed eight carries for 37 yards and a touchdown, with one target for one reception and 22 yards. His rushing usage skyrockets every time Mitchell misses a game which lowers everyone's floor, including Samuel's.
Should I Start Elijah Mitchell In Week 15?
Once again, if Mitchell is ready for this game there is no reason he shouldn't receive a full workload. That would be the best-case scenario, making Jeff Wilson Jr. and JaMycal Hasty basically irrelevant while Deebo Samuel would move back exclusively to the receiver position. In this scenario, Mitchell would be a rock-solid RB2 while Deebo Samuel would be a WR1.
However, if Mitchell misses the Week 15 game, Jeff Wilson becomes a low-end RB2 with serious ceiling concerns. Hasty would be an emergency PPR flex option for teams getting thinned out by the COVID outbreaks or other injuries.
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