49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (concussion) and TE George Kittle (knee soreness) were not practicing Wednesday.

Related Players: JaMycal Hasty, Jeff Wilson Jr.

The hope was to have Mitchell carry the load Week 15, but no practice for him puts that in jeopardy.

Kittle should be good and his absence considered more of a precaution.

Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson and Trenton Cannon are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents in March. Given how vital that position is, I think the 49ers should re-sign Wilson (no brainer), re-sign Mostert (more expensive, yes, but it’s necessary) and bring in one more additional runner. That would give them: Mostert, Elijah Mitchell, Wilson, Trey Sermon, JaMycal Hasty and _____ to start the offseason.

The author went on to say the 49ers’ motto when it comes to running backs ought to be: We can never have enough. The big fantasy question would be who is the lead back as Mostert, Mitchell and Wilson have all had the role at one time or another.

The bottom line is that once Elijah Mitchell is back and Jeff Wilson is 100 percent — and he’s getting closer — the less of a need there will be for Deebo Samuel to play eight snaps at running back. Maybe that drops to three or four in coming weeks. That seems about right.

The question was part of a mailbag. The author pointed out maybe there’s a slightly higher risk of getting injured on runs through the A or B gaps. But it’s not like Samuel’s playing a dainty, finesse version of wide receiver, either. He’s trying to smash through tacklers every opportunity he gets, the author said.

A fourth runner, Brian Hill, was elevated from the practice squad for the game and played 16 snaps on special teams. Hill’s was only a short-term promotion while cornerback Saivion Smith and receiver River Cracraft were signed to the 53-man roster. Perhaps that’s an indication the 49ers feel Elijah Mitchell will be back this week. (Smith, meanwhile, was waived on Monday but, per a league source, the 49ers plan to sign him back to the practice squad after he clears waivers.)

Related players: Jeff Wilson

It may be a little bit of a read-between-the-lines situation here, but it's at least a sign of hope for Mitchell owners who may have survived Week 14 and are heading into the playoffs and Week 15. The story also talked about how Mitchell maybe can't be relied on for 25 touches a game based on his injuries, and the story indicated Wilson could steal some touches to limit Mitchell and keep him healthy for the stretch run. If Mitchell can't go, Wilson, who played on a team-high 42 snaps, would likely get the biggest workload in Week 15.

Jeff Wilson’s 42 snaps were a season high and an indication he is returning to his pre-injury form. So was his 4.3-yard average. There was nothing flashy from him against the Bengals and his longest carry was 12 yards.

Related players: Elijah Mitchell

The story suggested the team could use a change of pace back to Mitchell and that Wilson's production against the Bengals was an encouraging sign he could be just that. The team seems to trust Wilson so the move would make sense. He's also getting healthier, proven by his 42 snaps in Week 14.

49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (finger/ribs/concussion) will not play Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals. WR Deebo Samuel (groin) is questionable.

Related Players: Jeff Wilson Jr., JaMycal Hasty

It appears as if Wilson is good to go and will start for the 49ers this week, but look for Hasty to see a decent workload.

49ers RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (knee) was limited Wednesday.

Related Players: JaMycal Hasty, Brian Hill

If Wilson is out or truly limited Sunday, JaMycal Hasty will more than likely serve as San Francisco's starter. Elijah Mitchell received a clean MRI this week, but is still bothered by his knee injury.

The San Francisco 49ers have signed RB Brian Hill to the active roster.

Related Player: Elijah Mitchell, JaMycal Hasty, Jeff Wilson Jr.

Mitchell and Wilson could be out/limited Sunday, which lead to the addition of Hill. JaMycal Hasty could start if Mitchell and Wilson are out.

Elijah Mitchell and Trenton Cannon are both in the concussion protocol. They’re unlikely to go through a full practice Wednesday but certainly have a shot to play in Cincinnati. The 49ers also think Deebo Samuel has a good chance to be back this week from his groin injury.

Related players: Jeff Wilson, JaMycal Hasty

The news about Samuel on Tuesday was a bit up and down overall with some reports more positive than others, but the general feeling overall seems like there is a chance he can play in Week 14. This particular story said "good chance." It would certainly be a good sign if Mitchell can practiced in at least a limited form on Wednesday so owners will want to take note. Hasty is probably the team's most healthy running back, but the story thinks Wilson will be able to practice this week after his knee swelled up recently. This RB situation is a fluid one heading into Week 14. To make matters worse, Samuel has had more time running the ball over the last few weeks.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (groin) remains day to day, but Shanahan said he is hoping to get him back this week, too.

Related players: Elijah Mitchell, Jeff Wilson, JaMycal Hasty

Samuel was scheduled to miss a week or two, but the Niners hope to see him back for Week 14 after missing Week 13. Mitchell entered concussion protocol on Monday after being cleared on Sunday and after the game, so his status is up in the air, as is Wilson's who had his knee flare up, according to the story. Samuel has been used more as a runner lately but is a weapon the 49ers would love to get back with so many other question marks at RB.