49ers: Elijah Mitchell ruled out vs. Saints with knee injury

The 49ers ruled running back Elijah Mitchell out of the rest of their game against the Saints Sunday at Levi’s Stadium due to a knee injury.

Mitchell carried the ball for five yards on the first play after halftime and was replaced shortly thereafter by rookie Jordan Mason, who joined a rotation with starter Christian McCaffrey on the rest of the drive.

The 49ers’ other options in the backfield without Mitchell include McCaffrey, do-it-all Deebo Samuel and fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Tyrion Davis-Price is inactive.

Mitchell missed two months earlier this year with an MCL sprain he suffered in Chicago during the 49ers’ season-opening loss to the Bears. He returned two weeks ago in a win over the Rams and has featured more in the second halves of the last two games, as the 49ers have worked to hold onto leads and work the clock.

He had 189 yards on 33 carries entering the game against New Orleans, adding 35 yards on seven carries Sunday afternoon.

Mitchell was the 49ers’ leading rusher last season in his rookie year, running for 963 yards and five touchdowns over 11 games played. He entered this season as the 49ers’ lead back, but San Francisco added McCaffrey via trade in October while Mitchell was working his way back from the MCL injury.

Fox Sports’ Laura Okmin noted Sunday that 49ers medical personnel had also been working with McCaffrey on apparent left leg discomfort throughout the second half of the game, though McCaffrey has continued to play.