Full Breakdown
Eagles Bolster Running Back Depth with Elijah Mitchell Amid Injury Crisis
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Practice-Squad Signing and Roster Cuts
The Philadelphia Eagles added former San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell to their practice squad on October 20. The move coincided with the waiving of running backs Jaydon Blue and Carson Steele (the latter with an injury designation). The Eagles also released practice-squad players Ian Wheeler and James Brockermeyer. Mitchell’s return provides another experienced option as the team prepares for a Week 7 Monday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
Background & Context: Injury Toll on the Backfield
Philadelphia’s running back group has been depleted by multiple injuries:
- Saquon Barkley – missed the last two games with a hamstring strain.
- Tank Bigsby – placed on injured reserve with a core-muscle injury.
- Will Shipley – placed on injured reserve on October 16 after a partial plantar-fascia tear.
- Carson Steele – suffered a right-shoulder injury in the Week 6 loss to the Carolina Panthers and was subsequently waived/injured.
- Jaydon Blue – signed to the active roster before the Panthers game but did not play and was later waived.
With these setbacks, the only healthy backs remaining before the latest moves were Dameon Pierce and the newly signed Mitchell.
Timeline of Recent Moves
- June 2 – The Eagles initially signed Mitchell after he participated in rookie minicamp as a tryout player.
- August – Mitchell was placed on injured reserve and later released with an injury settlement.
- October 16 – Shipley placed on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least four games.
- October 18 – The Eagles were ruled out of the matchup with the Carolina Panthers, a 25-14 loss that dropped the team to 2-4.
- October 20 – ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the practice-squad signing of Mitchell and the waivers of Blue, Steele, Wheeler and Brockermeyer.
Data & Statistics: Production and Team Rankings
- Mitchell’s career totals: 1,523 rushing yards and nine touchdowns over 27 regular-season appearances with the 49ers, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. His rookie season (2021) produced 963 rushing yards, five touchdowns, and a 4.7-yard average, the second-most rushing yards among rookies that year.
- According to NBC Sports Philadelphia, Mitchell’s 4.7-yard average ranks 12th among the 54 active running backs with at least 250 carries.
- The Eagles rank 28th in the NFL with 82 rushing yards per game and 25th with 3.7 yards per carry. Their combined 57 rushing yards against the Jaguars and Panthers represent the second-fewest two-game total since 1955.
Official Statements & Responses
He added that he was “really pleased” with how Mitchell was looking during the preseason evaluation and emphasized the need for depth while Barkley recovers.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Howie did a great job of bringing in a lot of good pieces to this team,” — Philly. Sirianni
What’s Next
The Eagles will open practice on Thursday ahead of the Week 7 showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. Mitchell remains on the practice squad and would need to be elevated or signed to the 53-man roster to appear in the game. The outcome of the Cowboys matchup will test whether the newly assembled backfield can sustain the team’s offensive production while awaiting Barkley’s return.
