49ers game grades from deflating Week 9 loss to Cardinals
By Peter Panacy
49ers Running Backs
It’s hard to give San Francisco’s running backs a bad grade here, particularly Elijah Mitchell, who managed 4.5 yards per carry against what was the league’s second-worst run defense entering Week 9, at least in terms of yards-per-carry against.
But Mitchell getting only eight rushes is awfully criminal, and so is the fact Kyle Shanahan called for only 11 run plays total during the game.
True, the Cardinals got out to an early lead. But the 49ers were still well within range by halftime and could have even gotten away with some chunk yards on the ground in the second half, too.
At least Mitchell made up for that deficit somewhat with five additional catches for 43 yards. Good day for him despite being banged up with a ribs injury.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk had a nice grab along the sidelines, which depth running back JaMycal Hasty had 2 yards on one carry.
Oh, and veteran runner Jeff Wilson Jr. was back on the roster for the first time after tearing his meniscus during the offseason, although he didn’t get a touch. Neither did third-round rookie running back Trey Sermon, who was inactive.