49ers snap count: Mitchell one of few contributing rookies

Running back Elijah Mitchell, the eighth and final 49ers pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, has been the team’s most productive rookie.

Mitchell was one of the 49ers’ few bright spots in a 30-18 loss to the Indianapolis Colts that exposed the club on many different levels.

Mitchell got the 49ers off to a good start. He had runs of 20, 14 and 14 yards to cap the team’s game-opening touchdown drive.

Then, he ripped off a 12-yard carry before coach Kyle Shanahan decided to abandon the run -- a decision that resulted in three pass plays that gained no yards and brought a quick end to the team’s offensive momentum.

Mitchell played 37 of the 49ers’ 56 offensive snaps. He has been the star of a draft class that has contributed little to a team that needed a jolt of fresh, young players. Mitchell was chosen in the sixth round with the 194th overall pick.

Here is how the other rookies performed Sunday night, as the 49ers dropped their fourth consecutive game:

QB Trey Lance, first round (No. 3): The 49ers could have used Lance on a rainy, windy night. But Lance was inactive due to a left knee sprain.

G Aaron Banks, second round (No. 48): Because of the injury to offensive lineman Trent Williams, Banks suited up for a game for the first time in his NFL career. He did not get into the game.

RB Trey Sermon, third round (No. 88): Sermon has not been able to win any playing time in Shanahan’s offense. He did not play on offense, and saw action on 11 plays on special teams.

CB Ambry Thomas, third round (No. 102): Thomas is healthy, but he was not active for the game.

LT Jaylon Moore, fifth round (No. 155): Moore made his first NFL start. And he played well. He started in place of Williams and he more than held his own. In 29 pass-blocking snaps, Moore surrendered just two pressures.

CB Deommodore Lenoir, fifth round (No. 172): Lenoir, who started the first two games of the season, has fallen down the depth chart to the point where he was not active Sunday night.

S Talanoa Hufanga, fifth round (No. 180): Hufanga played 34 snaps on defense after Jaquiski Tartt sustained a knee injury. He also was on the field for 24 plays on special teams. He had two tackles and did not give up any plays in pass coverage.

RELATED: Failing grades for 49ers' offense, defense in loss to Colts

And here is a look at how much action each 49ers player saw on offense, defense and special teams:

Quarterback: Jimmy Garoppolo 56

Running back: Elijah Mitchell 37, Kyle Juszczyk 26, JaMycal Hasty 19

Wide receiver: Deebo Samuel 48, Brandon Aiyuk 40, Mohamed Sanu 28, Trent Sherfield 16, Jauan Jennings 9

Tight end: Charlie Woerner 30, Ross Dwelley 27

Offensive line: Daniel Brunskill, 56, Laken Tomlinson 56, Mike McGlinchey 56, Alex Mack 56, Jaylon Moore 56

Defensive line: Nick Bosa 56, Arik Armstead 55, D.J. Jones 50, Kentavius Street 43, Zach Kerr 20, Arden Key 18, Dee Ford 17, Samson Ebukam 15

Linebacker: Fred Warner 68, Azeez Al-Shaair 62, Marcell Harris 27

Cornerback: Josh Norman 67, Emmanuel Moseley 64, K’Waun Williams 40, Dre Kirkpatrick 3

Safety: Jimmie Ward 68, Jaquiski Tartt 40, Talanoa Hufanga 34, Tavon Wilson 1

Special teams: Dontae Johnson 25, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles 24, Hufanga 24, Tyrell Adams 20, Woerner 18, Trenton Cannon 17, Sherfield 15, Kirkpatrick 14, Ward 12, Harris 12, Trey Sermon 11, Hasty 11, Dwelley 10, Wilson 10, Joey Slye 8, Armstead 8, Mitch Wishnowsky 7, Jones 7, Taybor Pepper 7, Key 5, Juszczyk 4, Street 4, Ebukam 4, Tom Compton 3, Tanner Hudson 3, Jake Brendel 3, Aiyuk 3, Brunskill 3, Tomlinson 3, McGlinchey 3, Sanu 3, Samuel 2, Jennings 1, Warner 1, Al-Shaair 1, Bosa 1, Ford 1

Did not play: QB Nate Sudfeld, OL Aaron Banks

Inactive: QB Trey Lance (knee), WR Travis Benjamin, CB Ambry Thomas, CB Deommodore Lenoir, T Trent Williams (elbow/ankle), DT Maurice Hurst (calf), DE Javon Kinlaw (knee)

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