Jeff Wilson Jr. or Tyrion Davis-Price: Who Will Lead 49ers' Backfield Following Elijah Mitchell Injury?

Another year, another big injury to a San Francisco 49ers running back. 

After losing Raheem Mostert in Week 1 of the 2021 season, the 49ers lost Elijah Mitchell in Week 1 of the 2022 season to an MCL injury in their loss to the Chicago Bears. 

So, Mitchell, who burst on the scene when Mostert went down last season, now will miss about two months for San Francisco. 

It seems like there is a new running back in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme every year, so who steps up in 2022 with Mitchell out of the lineup? 

Jeff Wilson Jr. seems to be the one constant on the 49ers depth chart, and he played the majority of the snaps with Mitchell sidelined in Week 1. With Trey Sermon out of town, Tyrion Davis-Price, a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, could also factor into this backfield. 

That being said, it’s clear that Wilson will get the first crack, as he received nine carries and was targeted twice in the loss to the Bears. Wilson only amassed 30 yards through those 11 touches, but the conditions at Soldier Field were also terrible. 

If you’re looking to target one of these players in prop bets, Wilson is probably the play, but Deebo Samuel (eight carries, 52 yards in Week 1) may see more looks out of the backfield. 

Trey Lance also ran the ball a lot in Week 1, carrying it 13 times, so the volume for any running back could be volatile. Still, Wilson Jr. could be an intriguing bet in touchdown props, as he’s scored 17 touchdowns in 38 career games (nine starts). 

Until we see Davis-Price actually factor in on offense, he’d be nothing more than a longshot bet. Still, it’s worth monitoring him and how this backfield shakes out in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. For now, Wilson and Samuel appear to be the leaders in the clubhouse to carry the ball in that matchup.

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.