Elijah Mitchell burst onto the fantasy football scene in Week 1 of the 2021 season. However, he struggled in Week 2 before leaving the game against the Eagles with an injury. After not practicing until Friday this week, what should fantasy managers do with Mitchell in Week 3?
Elijah Mitchell’s fantasy managers left in limbo, listed as doubtful for Week 3
If the San Francisco 49ers did not have bad luck, they would have no luck at all. After a spate of injuries last year, the 49ers lost their lead running back Raheem Mostert to a season-ending injury in Week 1. Then the following week, JaMycal Hasty, Trey Sermon, and Mitchell all suffered injuries.
Hasty has been placed on IR, Sermon cleared concussion protocol on Friday, and Mitchell returned to practice the same day. However, Mitchell has been listed as doubtful on the 49ers’ injury report heading into this week. San Francisco also elevated Kerryon Johnson from the practice squad. He is expected to serve as a backup alongside Trenton Cannon and Jacques Patrick, with Sermon or Mitchell as the starter.
This matchup has potential value for a 49ers RB
While this is not an easy matchup for the 49ers, it is not a particularly tough one either. The Packers have allowed an average of 22.9 fantasy points per game to opponents through the first two weeks. If Mitchell, or Sermon, can dominate the carries, there is high potential for a solid fantasy return.
The Packers have allowed 195 rushing yards on 46 attempts, as well as 73 receiving yards and a touchdown on 13 receptions. Those numbers are not incredible by any means. But there is plenty of opportunities if you can work out which RB to lean on.
Should you start Elijah Mitchell in fantasy lineups in Week 3?
The complicating factor when deciding what to do with the likes of Mitchell and Sermon as a fantasy manager this week is that the game is not being played until Sunday Night Football. Therefore, when we find out 90 minutes before the game that Mitchell is inactive or active, there is limited adjustment time.
The smart move here is to enter Sunday morning expecting your fantasy team to be without Mitchell. Unless you have another RB in the Sunday Night Football or Monday Night Football games, the risk of putting him in your lineup is too high.
Sermon is the tougher call, but caution has to be the name of the game. Whether Mitchell is active or not, there is a good chance the 49ers are at least cautious with Sermon. They have three other backs on the roster who could all contribute. Thus, San Francisco might hesitate to risk their rookie RB taking 20+ carries coming off a concussion.
