49ers NFC Championship injury report: Elijah Mitchell is questionable

The 49ers might be slightly shorthanded for their NFC Championship game against the Eagles, particularly if Elijah Mitchell can’t play because of injury.

There aren’t too many ways the San Francisco 49ers can dominate the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2023 NFC Championship game.

One of the few ways, however, might be on the ground.

Philly enters this penultimate matchup of the season having allowed 4.6 yards per carry rushing, which ranked ninth worst in the NFL. And while Philadephia’s pass rush was by far the most potent, registering 70 sacks over that same span, head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense is still a run-first system.

And that might be how the Niners pull off an upset and advance to Super Bowl LVII.

However, San Francisco is dealing with some injuries at running back heading into the contest, which is less than ideal. And while he might not be the primary option, thanks to All-Pro Christian McCaffrey‘s presence, fellow running back Elijah Mitchell is potentially in danger of missing the game.

49ers injury report in NFC Championship game vs. Eagles

Shanahan was dealing with a handful of injuries in the week leading up to the game and after the 49ers knocked off the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round.

McCaffrey (calf), Mitchell (groin), cornerback Ambry Thomas (ankle) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel (ankle) all showed up on the injury list, yet both Samuel and McCaffrey indicated they’d be able to return in time for Sunday’s showdown with the top-seeded Eagles.

Samuel and McCaffrey were cleared to play, but Mitchell and Thomas were both listed as questionable.

Here’s the full injury report for the Niners ahead of the NFC Championship:

• OUT
  • QB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot)
• Questionable
  • RB Elijah Mitchell (groin)
  • CB Ambry Thomas (ankle)

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Mitchell has been a nice complementary player to McCaffrey, and Shanahan might want to use the former as a home-run threat late in the game when Philadephia’s defense is (hopefully) worn down.

The 49ers and Eagles square off against each other for the NFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. ET from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.