49ers injury news: Deebo Samuel, Elijah Mitchell close to returning

The 49ers offense looks to be getting a big boost for the last few weeks as well as the playoffs, with Deebo Samuel and Elijah Mitchell on track to return.

The San Francisco 49ers are riding high on a rich vein of form, reeling off eight wins in a row as they breathe down the necks of both the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles for a top-two seed in the NFC playoff picture.

Guaranteed of doing no worse than their current spot as the No. 3 seed, the team welcomed back defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw from injury as he slotted back in to help bolster the defensive line.

All throughout this season, the 49ers have bravely fought on despite suffering chronic injuries and while the team is certainly more healthy compared to the beginning of the campaign, the team isn’t quite complete.

While the offense has reached new heights with the meteoric rise of quarterback Brock Purdy and the trade for running back Christian McCaffrey (which looks more and more like a steal with every subsequent week), it’s a bit undermanned with running back Elijah Mitchell and All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel out of the lineup.

Fortunately, this is set to be rectified, with the news that Deebo is set to return to practice following his missing the previous two weeks with an ankle sprain, and Mitchell is set to return from injured reserve after tearing his MCL in Week 12.

Mitchell, meanwhile, must wait for four weeks before playing again after being on IR, which requires at least a four-game absence.

49ers news: When will Deebo Samuel, Elijah Mitchell return from injury?

Neither player will probably suit up to play the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17. The Raiders are a team that the Niners should beat with their current talent, so Deebo shouldn’t be rushed back, while a loss won’t harm the 49ers except perhaps ruling them out of the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds.

A win against Las Vegas would however give the 49ers at worst the No. 2 seed to play for, and perhaps the No. 1 seed if the Philadelphia Eagles lose their upcoming game against the New Orleans Saints.

McCaffrey has been exceptional, but rookies Tyrion Davis-Price and Jordan Mason haven’t been able to take over as the backup. Davis-Price hasn’t looked very impressive thus far and Mason has been injured himself. Mitchell has been an exceptional talent in his two years, albeit with several injuries, so his ability to help keep McCaffrey fresh will be much welcomed for the playoffs.

Deebo has been exceptional as normal, so having him back will only be good for San Francisco’s offense as well as Purdy’s development. If he’s back at practice and going strong, he should be a certainty for the 49ers’ Week 18 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

With the offense surging from strength to strength, it’ll be exciting to have Deebo and Mitchell back in time for the playoff run to the Super Bowl.