The San Francisco 49ers couldn’t have imagined a worse start to their 2022 season.
Coming off a trip to the NFC Championship Game, the Niners entered their opener against the Chicago Bears as one of the biggest favorites of the week. But things didn’t quite work out like the oddsmakers predicted.
Despite holding an early lead and appearing to be in control of the game, San Francisco allowed Chicago to stay close. And when it mattered most, it was the Bears coming up with the big plays to secure a 19-10 victory in a sloppy, rain-filled affair.
And if the loss wasn’t already enough, the Niners were dealt more bad news when it was announced that star running back Elijah Mitchell was out for the game with a knee injury.
There was no word on the severity right away, as Mitchell exited in the first half after rushing six times for 41 yards.
While speaking to reporters after the game, Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan said he didn’t know much about the extent of the injury. “I know they thought he had a chance to come back and they ruled him out later,” he told reporters. “So, I’m not sure yet.”
That sounded pretty optimistic, but it has since been reported that the injury to Mitchell’s knee is believed to be “significant.”
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This would be a crushing blow for the 49ers, who would be down to Jeff Wilson Jr., Jordan Mason, and Tyrion Davis-Price in the backfield.
San Francisco takes on Seattle at home in week two, as they’ll look to get in the win column for the first time this season.
