49ers pregame: Dre Greenlaw out, Elijah Mitchell returns to face Browns
Running back Elijah Mitchell will suit up as Christian McCaffrey's backup but linebacker Dre Greenlaw is out in the 49ers' game Sunday at the Cleveland Browns.
CLEVELAND — Dre Greenlaw will miss his first game this season, but the 49ers will welcome back running back Elijah Mitchell for today’s game at the Browns.
Mitchell, after missing the previous two games, returned to practice Thursday, two weeks after getting hurt in practice. He’s only played in two games, including an 11-carry, 42-yard effort in the home opener against the Giants.
The 49ers (5-0) surely will miss Greenlaw’s speed and tenacity, to an extent. The Browns (2-2) will start practice-squad callup P.J. Walker in place of the injured Deshaun Watson.
Greenlaw’s 37 tackles are second only to fellow linebacker Fred Warner’s 54; Greenlaw notched his first sack of the season to close out last Sunday night’s first half in the 42-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Linebacker Curtis Robinson was elevated Saturday from the practice squad, a signal that the 49ers would be without Greenlaw, who aggravated a hamstring injury in Thursday’s practice and was limited Friday; he missed the entire preseason because of a hamstring issue through camp. Robinson played 18 special-teams snaps in the season opener.
OTHER INACTIVES
With Mitchell suiting up as potential relief for Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers returned Ty Davis-Price to the inactive list. Also in uniform is Jordan Mason, who scored the 49ers’ final touchdown last Sunday night.
Other inactive: offensive lineman Matt Pryor, defensive lineman Kalia Davis, linebacker Jalen Graham and tight end Brayden Willis, along with emergency No. 3 quarterback Brandon Allen.
Replacing Pryor as an offensive line reserve is Nick Zakelj, who suits up for the first time this season.
Also in uniform is practice-squad callup Shemar Jean-Charles, a cornerback who played 13 special-teams snaps in the home-opening win over the Giants.
BROWNS BENCHED
Joining Watson on the Browns’ inactive list are guard Joel Bitonio (knee), defensive tackle Siaki Ika, defensive end Isaiah McGuire, safety Ronnie Hickman, cornerback Kahlef Hailassie and wide receiver Cedric Tillman.
Michael Dunn will start at left guard in place of Bitonio.