Chiefs' new RB Elijah Mitchell signals he's ready for fresh start in Kansas City after injury led to bitter end in San Francisco
The Kansas City Chiefs got a promising injury update from one of their newest players on Thursday. New Chiefs RB Elijah Mitchell comes to Kansas City on a one-year, prove-it deal after missing the entire 2024 NFL season with a hamstring injury. Mitchell sustained a hamstring strain during training camp with the San Francisco 49ers and missed […]
The Kansas City Chiefs got a promising injury update from one of their newest players on Thursday.
New Chiefs RB Elijah Mitchell comes to Kansas City on a one-year, prove-it deal after missing the entire 2024 NFL season with a hamstring injury. Mitchell sustained a hamstring strain during training camp with the San Francisco 49ers and missed a few weeks of practice.
Upon returning, Mitchell suffered another, more severe hamstring injury that caused him to be placed on injured reserve in late August. San Francisco did not use a return designation, ruling him out for the entire season.
Injuries have plagued Mitchell's NFL career, but the new Chiefs RB says he's fully healthy and will be ready to participate in OTAs when they begin.
"I'm back at 100%, and I'll be ready to go when we start back up in May," Mitchell told reporters on Thursday.
New Chiefs RB Elijah Mitchell 'hungrier than ever' before
As a rookie in 2021, Mitchell led the 49ers in rushing with 963 yards in 11 games. Unfortunately, the season was marred by injury. He missed games throughout the year with varying ailments ranging from a fractured finger to a concussion. His inability to stay healthy cost him a shot at a 1,000-yard rushing season that year.
Mitchell's lack of durability persisted throughout his NFL career. He has played in just 16 regular-season games with two starts over the last three seasons, culminating in a missed full season in 2024. The last meaningful game he played in was Super Bowl LVIII against the Chiefs.
Ultimately, the injury in 2024 and those throughout his NFL career have pushed Mitchell in a positive direction.
"Any time you get hurt, especially being out a year, you have to go to a different level of just working back and just keep reminding yourself that you're still that guy," Mitchell said. "Even though you know, you end up getting an injury or whatever. But you just remind yourself, keep pushing, and you're going to come out on top of it sooner or later."
Mitchell admits that the 2024 NFL season was tough for him as a competitor. However, he understands that what he went through will inspire what's to come in Kansas City. He's ready to make the 2025 NFL season the one where he comes out on top.
"It was very challenging," Mitchell told reporters. "Just having the love for football and not being able to step on the field and compete against the best, it really weighed on me a lot. I’m hungrier than ever, and I’m ready to roll."
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