49ers roster: Stock up, stock down on 2021 NFL Draft class

49ers RB Elijah Mitchell

San Francisco’s final pick of the draft, Louisiana-Lafayette running back Elijah Mitchell, was a key player many were anticipating could have a great game against Kansas City.

Except Mitchell ended up being a late “scratch,” whatever the preseason equivalent of that is.

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After the game, Kyle Shanahan informed reporters Mitchell was dealing with a hip injury that was suffered just before the game and would eventually miss multiple weeks with the setback, also effectively ending his preseason and potentially jeopardizing his early placement on the regular-season roster.

By all accounts, Mitchell was having a fantastic training camp, flashing his 4.36 40-yard speed and ripping off chunk gains on the ground while also serving as a reliable pass-catching weapon.

Raheem Mostert and Trey Sermon are already guaranteed roster spots. The veteran, Wayne Gallman, also showed his value to Shanahan’s offense, while second-year pro JaMycal Hasty made the most of his chances against Kansas City with 10 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown, albeit a fumble damaged Hasty’s chances a little bit.

The 49ers aren’t going to keep four running backs on their 53-man roster, so there’s a possibility this injury forces their hand in an attempt to stash Mitchell on an injury list by the time Week 1 rolls around.

Perhaps Mitchell already carved out a roster spot for himself in camp, but that’s not so certain a guarantee right now.