Kyle Shanahan described the seriousness of 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell's knee injury.

The San Francisco 49ers lead the NFC West with a 7-4 record after Sunday's rout of the New Orleans Saints in Week 12. As satisfying as Sunday's victory was for

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head coach Kyle Shanahan and the team, there were some unfavorable developments as well. Sadly, a crucial player on the Niners offense suffered a serious injury

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during the game. Running back Elijah Mitchell may have sprained his MCL, Shanahan reportedly told the reporters, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.

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According to Shanahan, the injury is not as severe as the one Mitchell suffered in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, so it is at least not as bad as it could be.

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For background, Mitchell didn't play again after his initial injury until Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers. While there is some hope in this diagnosis,

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Mitchell's absence would be a significant blow to the 49ers offense.According to Pro Football Reference, the second-year running back contributed 963 rushing yards with five

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touchdowns, as well as 19 receptions for 137 yards in the receiving game as a rookie in 2021. Running back Christian McCaffrey was hired by the 49ers in October after

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being injured for a significant portion of the 2022 NFL season. Over the previous three weeks, the two had shown good chemistry in the backfield. As a result, the 49ers'

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attack will be without that additional dimension for a spell.Kyle Shanahan will be preparing to face Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins in Week 13 action on Sunday

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with a modified game plan from the one that had been effective lately because Elijah Mitchell won't be in the lineup for a time.

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