Elijah Mitchell, a former San Francisco 49ers running back, has been released by the New England Patriots, the team announced on Tuesday. The move ends Mitchell’s brief stint with the Patriots, during which he did not appear in a regular‑season game.
Mitchell entered the NFL as a sixth‑round pick in the 2021 draft. In his rookie season he amassed 1,100 yards from scrimmage over 11 games, establishing himself as a promising contributor in the 49ers’ backfield. His momentum was halted early in his second year when a knee injury in Week 1 sidelined him for the majority of the campaign. Subsequent seasons were plagued by health issues, including missed time in 2023 and a hamstring injury that kept him out for the entire 2024 season.
After leaving the 49ers, Mitchell signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025 but appeared in only one game before being released. The Patriots signed him during the 2025 offseason, yet he failed to make the active roster and was cut before the start of the regular season.
Mitchell’s release adds to a growing list of players whose careers have been derailed by injuries. While he may still earn a spot on a 90‑player training‑camp roster elsewhere, his prospects for returning to an NFL regular‑season lineup appear uncertain. His situation underscores the challenges faced by athletes whose early potential is curtailed by recurring health setbacks.
