Golden Nuggets: Game Day! Go Niners

49ers rookie RB Mitchell likely to return Sunday vs. Texans

“The young running back’s game status is officially listed as questionable, but 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan’s comments Friday indicate Mitchell will see the field as much as the ball-carrier feels healthy enough to play.”

49ers activate Wishnowsky off COVID list for game vs. Texans

“The 49ers will not be forced to turn to a replacement punter, as Mitch Wishnowsky was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list.”

How Fred Warner’s tough love gave 49ers QB Trey Lance the push he needed

“Lance, who threw just one interception in 17 starts at North Dakota State, was falling short in practice. And inside linebacker Fred Warner said his caution was a reason a host of pass-interference flags were falling on the 49ers’ secondary early in the season.”

Barrows: Start or sit? Dueling QB strategies take center stage in 49ers-Texans (paywall)

The question is, how big are the strides Lance has made in all those closed-door sessions and how many fractions of seconds has he been able to shave off his release time? That’s something McDaniel and the other assistants are obsessive about. It’s what makes Sunday’s game so compelling. We should finally get to see Lance put all that practice into, well, practice. With a playoff berth at stake.