49ers RB Elijah Mitchell on track to return vs. Bears in Week 1

The 2022 NFL regular season is less than three weeks away, and we’re starting to get updates on injuries that will impact the Chicago Bears’ opener against the San Francisco 49ers.

ESPN insider Adam Schefter tweeted Tuesday that 49ers starting running back Elijah Mitchell is on track to return to the lineup against the Bears in Week 1.

Kyle Shanahan told reporters that RB Elijah Mitchell is on track to return Week 1 vs. Chicago.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2022

Mitchell, a 2021 fifth-round pick from Louisiana, has been dealing with a hamstring injury that’s kept him out of action this preseason. He led San Francisco’s backfield with 207 carries for 963 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie.

Elijah Mitchell should be the focal point of 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan’s rushing attack once again, although Trey Sermon, last year’s third-round pick, has received most of the work this summer while Mitchell’s been sidelined.

The Chicago Bears run defense received a boost this week with the return of veteran linebacker Roquan Smith, who decided to end his hold-in. Smith will be charged with chasing down Elijah Mitchell and the the rest of San Francisco’s skill players in Week 1.

The Bears will battle the 49ers to Soldier Field on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1:00 p.m. EST.