He is one of the bright spots of the San Francisco 49ers season so far: rookie running back Elijah Mitchell. However, an injury from the Monday Night Game could now throw the youngster off track.

Munich/San Francisco – Despite a mixed start to the season, the San Francisco 49ers still have a chance to return to the playoffs with their 4-5 record.

One of the guarantors of the four wins is rookie running back Elijah Mitchell, but he suffered a setback before Sunday’s next game.

As 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed to members of the press on Tuesday, the 23-year-old broke a finger against the Los Angeles Rams.

However, Shanahan said the California team doctors are confident the rookie will be able to participate in practice despite the injury.

Similar to Seahawks playmaker Russell Wilson, Mitchell also had a stabilising pin inserted into the broken finger.

Elijah Mitchell: Use on Sunday questionable

Whether the 23-year-old running back will actually be able to return to the field Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars will be determined later this week.

Mitchell, who played in college for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, has played in seven games for the 49ers, rushing for 560 yards and three touchdowns. Against the Rams, the rookie rushed for 91 yards in 27 attempts.