Both Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason would have been forgiven for feeling a little nervous after the 49ers' decisions at the running back position this offseason.

San Francisco's backups to Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey saw the 49ers add three players at the position, signing Patrick Taylor Jr. in free agency before trading up for Isaac Guerendo in the fourth round of the draft and then signing Cody Schrader, the SEC's leading rusher last season, as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri.

With neither Mitchell nor Mason having any guaranteed money on their contracts this year, the moves made by the 49ers raised the prospect of San Francisco parting with at least one of that duo.

Last month, I picked Mitchell, the 49ers' leading rusher as recently as his rookie year in 2021, as a surprise cut candidate for San Francisco. 

The 49ers could save over $1 million against the cap by releasing Mitchell, and that appears to be more of a realistic possibility following San Francisco's first padded practice of training camp on Monday.

As McCaffrey enjoyed a rest day, it was Mason who took the lion's share of the first-team reps in the backfield, with the switch from previous years seemingly reflective of the strides made from the former undrafted free agent, rather than anything Mitchell has done wrong.

"There’s been no falloff in Elijah at all, but (Mason) runs at a very high level,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “(Mason) wasn’t there right away, but he got there pretty quick. He did a hell of a job for us last year. We’ll see how camp plays out. But I love both of those guys and we’ve got some depth behind them too."

Last week, offensive line coach and run game coordinator Chris Foerster heaped praise on Mason, saying:

"He’s become a better ball carrier. He was just such a hard running, strong, physical, tough guy that he gained yards, sheer-willed himself in the yards. Now, he’s understanding the playbook better. [Running backs coach] Bobby Turner coming back into the building has been, not that anything was wrong with [former assistant head coach/running backs] Anthony Lynn, it’s just that he and the two guys have clicked, so that’s really helped. And then he’s just matured as a player. He’s had a chance to run more routes. He’s had a chance to watch Christian run routes. It’s a huge benefit to not only be coached well, but to have a guy that’s premier at doing it and go like, ‘Oh, I can see how that’s done a little bit better. And it’s a guy that I’m right here with, and I know the guy.’ So it’s helped him in every facet. He’s really taken off. It’s really exciting to see."

The words of his coaches would suggest Mason has taken a lead in the battle to be McCaffrey's immediate backup. That does not mean it is the end for Mitchell, however. Despite his durability issues over the years, the 49ers are likely to be reluctant to cut ties with a back of his talents, at least until they see more from their rookies. Guerendo is out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury.

But the pressure certainly appears to be on for Mitchell, who now has more reason to be looking over his shoulder. The Niners are likely to carry four backs, so Mitchell will probably still be confident of keeping his place on the 53. However, any strides from Guerendo when he returns or from Schrader could put his spot in some jeopardy.

Renardo Green wins battle with one of 49ers toughest players during first padded practice

It’s an illustration of why they think so highly of him.