Newest Chiefs RB Elijah Mitchell 'ready to roll'

Mitchell declares himself '100 percent' healthy after missing 2024

Elijah Mitchell hopes to rebound from a lost 2024 campaign after signing a one-year deal with the Chiefs.

Mitchell suffered a hamstring injury late last summer while with the San Francisco 49ers, resulting in the 49ers placing him on season-ending injured reserve.

Time heals, however, and Mitchell is primed to hit the practice field when the Chiefs kick off organized team activities (OTAs).

“I’m back at 100 percent and I’ll be ready to go when we start back up in May,” Mitchell said during a Zoom teleconference. “Definitely.”

Nevertheless, the Chiefs’ newest running back admits it was tough for him as a competitor to sit out last season.

“It was very challenging,” Mitchell said. “Just having the love for football and not being able to step on the field and compete against the best, man, it really weighed on me a lot. But I’m hungrier than ever and I’m ready to roll.”

Mitchell’s ability to stay on the field should factor in heavily on how the Chiefs ultimately use him in coach Andy Reid’s version of the West Coast offense.

As of now, the 5-foot-10, 200-pound Mitchell bolsters a backfield currently consisting of Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, who re-signed a one-year deal. The Chiefs could also choose to select another running back in the upcoming NFL draft.

Mitchell, though, immediately provides another veteran presence in the running backs room. He has appeared in 27 career games with 12 starts since entering the league in 2021, totaling 1,523 yards rushing and nine touchdowns on 327 carries (4.7 yards per attempt).

Mitchell also brings versatility out of the backfield as a receiver, and he had 28 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown playing in the 49ers’ version of the West Coast offense.

“I feel like even when I was at San Fran, like I did all the passing game stuff in practice and stuff,” said Mitchell, who “Now, just to be able to do it with K.C., it’s going to open up a lot of things not just for me, but for the team. It’s going to be incredible; I’m excited.”

In the meantime, the Chiefs have the coming months to properly evaluate the running backs room before the start of the regular season.

Where a healthy Mitchell ultimately fits remains to be seen, but he’s embracing the opportunity to be a contributor.

“Whatever it takes, whatever role I get, that’s what it’s going to be with me,” he said.