Elijah Mitchell

Running Back · Louisiana

Veteran running back who broke out as a rookie in San Francisco and has bounced around as a depth back since, landing with Philadelphia in 2026.

Elijah Mitchell burst onto the scene as a productive rookie for the San Francisco 49ers but has battled injuries throughout his career. The Louisiana product spent three seasons in San Francisco before short stints in Kansas City and New England. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on June 2, 2026.

★ 2021 sixth-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers

★ 1,523 career rushing yards and nine touchdowns with San Francisco

★ Productive rookie season in 2021

Path to the league

Mitchell played college football for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns before the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He immediately outperformed his draft slot, stepping into a heavy workload as a rookie when the 49ers backfield was thinned by injuries.

Career highlights

Across three seasons with the 49ers, Mitchell ran for 1,523 yards and nine touchdowns on 327 carries in 28 regular-season games, per Pro-Football-Reference. His rookie year stood out as the high point before recurring injuries limited his availability. A hamstring injury landed him on season-ending injured reserve in August 2024, costing him the entire campaign.

2025 season

Mitchell signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in March 2025 but appeared in just one game before being released in December, per reports. He then joined the New England Patriots' practice squad late in the season. The Patriots released him in April 2026, and he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on June 2, 2026.