- James Mitchell
- #85
- Team CAR
- Pos TE
- Status AActive
-
Inactive vs. Seattle
Mitchell (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Mitchell will be a healthy inactive for a third consecutive week as the Panthers go with three tight ends on the active roster in Ja'Tavion Sanders, Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans. Unless one of those three were to be sidelined, Mitchell will likely be a healthy scratch for the Panthers' Week 18 tilt against the Buccaneers.
Published: Sun, Dec 28 at 8:39am by Rotowire.com
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Inactive for Week 16
Mitchell (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
Analysis: Mitchell's last chance to suit up was Week 13 against the Rams, but with three tight ends ahead of him on the depth chart opportunties have been scarce. The 26-year-old's best chance at an activation for the remainder of the season will be if Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders or Mitchell Evans need to miss a game with injury.
Published: Sun, Dec 21 at 8:45am by Rotowire.com
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Healthy inactive for Week 15
Mitchell (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Saints, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Mitchell has appeared in just four regular-season games and will not be available to play Sunday. Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans will be the Panthers' three tight ends on the active roster for Week 15.
Published: Sun, Dec 14 at 12:37pm by Rotowire.com
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Sitting out again Sunday
Mitchell (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Mitchell had suited up in three consecutive games from Weeks 4 through 6, but he'll be inactive Sunday for the second contest in a row. His move to the inactive list has coincided with the return of fellow tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, who missed three straight games due to an ankle injury before returning to action for last Sunday's win over the Jets.
Published: Sun, Oct 26 at 9:09am by Rotowire.com
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Held catchless in Week 6
Mitchell didn't draw a target while playing 10 of the Panthers' 67 snaps on offense in Sunday's 30-27 win over the Cowboys.
Analysis: With top tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) inactive for the third game in a row, Mitchell once again suited up as Carolina's No. 3 option at the position behind Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans. Mitchell had recorded three catches for 28 yards between the previous two contests, but he failed to garner any looks from quarterback Bryce Young during his limited time on the field Sunday. Mitchell will likely find himself back on the inactive list for the Panthers' Week 7 game against the Jets if…read more
Published: Tue, Oct 14 at 9:07am by Rotowire.com
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Headed to Carolina
The Panthers signed Mitchell to a reserve/future contract Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Mitchell spent the entire 2024 regular season on the Lions' practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He was elevated for Week 11 against the Jaguars and played 24 offensive snaps but did not show up in the box score otherwise. Mitchell will be a part of the Panthers' 90-man roster when the new league year starts March 12 and will participate in OTAs, minicamp and training camp ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Published: Tue, Jan 21 at 5:37pm by Rotowire.com
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Reverts Monday
Mitchell reverted to the Lions' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Analysis: The third-year pro was elevated to Detroit's active roster ahead of the Week 11 win over the Jaguars to ensure depth at tight end with Sam LaPorta (shoulder) ruled out. Mitchell ended up seeing increased time after Shane Zylstra sustained a neck injury in Sunday's win, playing 24 offensive snaps but failing to record a stat. He could be elevated to the Lions' active roster again before the team's Week 12 matchup against the Colts if LaPorta or Zylstra cannot suit up.
Published: Mon, Nov 18 at 3:36pm by Rotowire.com
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Elevated for Week 11
The Lions elevated Mitchell from the practice squad Saturday.
Analysis: With Sam LaPorta (shoulder) out, Mitchell will provide depth behind Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra on Sunday against the Jaguars. A fifth-round pick by the Lions in 2022, Mitchell has 13 career catches for 141 yards and one touchdown.
Published: Sat, Nov 16 at 5:30pm by Rotowire.com
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Joins Detroit's practice squad
The Lions signed Mitchell to their practice squad Wednesday.
Analysis: The 25-year-old tight end failed to make the Lions' initial 53-man roster Tuesday, but he's now secured a spot on the team's practice squad. Mitchell has appeared in 29 regular-season games for the Lions across the past two seasons, so he could definitely be elevated to the team's active roster at some point this year.
Published: Thu, Aug 29 at 12:26pm by Rotowire.com
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Doesn't make roster
Mitchell was waived by Detroit on Tuesday.
Analysis: Since being selected by Detroit in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Mitchell has played in 19 regular-season games, tallying 13 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown. He was healthy during training camp after ending last season on IR due to a hand injury and caught two of three targets for 24 yards during the exhibition slate. Mitchell was in the running for the third tight-end spot to open the campaign, but that role instead went to Parker Hesse.
Published: Tue, Aug 27 at 9:18pm by Rotowire.com
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Participates in offseason program
Mitchell (hand) was seen catching passes last week during the beginning of Detroit's offseason program.
Analysis: Mitchell played 15 games during the 2023 regular season while primarily slotting in as a blocking tight end and contributor on special teams, as he caught just two passes. The 24-year-old then missed the Lions' postseason run with a hand injury. Mitchell's return to action during the offseason program likely means he's moved past the injury or the time being, so he'll likely slot back in behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright on the depth chart at tight end to begin the 2024 season.
Published: Wed, May 15 at 7:07pm by Rotowire.com
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Goes on IR
Mitchell (hand) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Analysis: Mitchell had already been ruled out for Sunday's wild-card game against the Rams due to a hand injury, but it now seems as if this issue will hold him out for the remainder of the year. In a corresponding move, Detroit signed Anthony Firkser to its active roster to ensure some extra depth at tight end going forward.
Published: Sat, Jan 13 at 1:37pm by Rotowire.com
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Won't play against Rams
Mitchell (hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's wild-card round game against the Rams, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Mitchell's practice participation trended in the wrong direction throughout the week, and he won't play Sunday after failing to practice in any capacity Friday. Starting tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) practiced without limitations Friday, so there's optimism over LaPorta's availability despite his questionable tag, and Brock Wright will be available for the first time since Week 15 after having recovered from a hip injury.
Published: Fri, Jan 12 at 1:02pm by Rotowire.com
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Tending to hand injury
Mitchell (hand) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.
Analysis: It's not clear when Mitchell picked up the hand issue, but his availability for the wild-card round is now in question regardless. Sam LaPorta did not participate at practice Thursday, so Detroit will certainly hope that Mitchell is able to practice in full Friday and avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.
Published: Thu, Jan 11 at 3:09pm by Rotowire.com
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Gains 24 yards
Mitchell caught his only target for 24 yards during Sunday's 30-20 win over the Vikings.
Analysis: Mitchell logged more than a quarter of the offensive snaps for a third straight game and has now caught a pass in two in a row. With Sam LaPorta (knee) possibly set to miss time and Brock Wright (hip) having yet to return to practice, Mitchell could be next up as the starting tight end ahead of the wild-card round and a matchup with the Rams, who allowed the second-most touchdowns (eight) and the fourth-most receiving yards (987) to tight ends in 2023. While Mitchell has just 13 catches in 28…read more
Published: Sun, Jan 7 at 5:35pm by Rotowire.com
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First catch of season
Mitchell caught one pass for four yards during Saturday's 20-19 loss to the Cowboys.
Analysis: Mitchell caught his first pass of the season while again logging at least a quarter of the offensive snaps in the continued absence of Brock Wright (hip). He'll remain off the fantasy radar even if Wright remains sidelined for the regular-season finale Sunday against the Vikings.
Published: Mon, Jan 1 at 12:13pm by Rotowire.com
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Goes untargeted Saturday
Mitchell played six of the Lions' 66 snaps on offense and went without a target in Saturday's 42-17 win over the Broncos.
Analysis: Mitchell has suited up for all but two of the Lions' 14 games this season, but the tight end has yet to draw a target and has seen more action on special teams than on offense. The Lions likely won't ask him to play more than a handful of reps at tight end in a given week when both Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright (groin) are available.
Published: Wed, Dec 20 at 8:30am by Rotowire.com
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Cleared for Week 7
Mitchell (hamstring) is active for Sunday's matchup against the Ravens.
Analysis: Mitchell missed back-to-back games due to a hamstring injury, but he'll return to action versus Baltimore. The second-year tight end has played more special-teams snaps (31) than offensive snaps (25) this season and has yet to record a target.
Published: Sun, Oct 22 at 8:53am by Rotowire.com
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Not playing Week 6
Mitchell (hamstring) will remain sidelined for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Mitchell's absence will mark his second straight due to a hamstring injury. Star rookie Sam LaPorta (calf) has been deemed questionable, which leaves Brock Wright and Darrell Daniels as the Lions' only current healthy options at tight end. Mitchell now will focus on a potential Week 7 return at Baltimore.
Published: Fri, Oct 13 at 6:06pm by Rotowire.com
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Misses second straight practice
Mitchell (hamstring) did not participate at practice Thursday.
Analysis: After sitting out of Sunday's game versus Carolina, Mitchell has opened the new week by failing to practice Wednesday or Thursday. Starter Sam LaPorta (calf) was added to the injury report after also missing practice Thursday, which means Brock Wright and Darrell Daniels are the Lions' only certainties for the moment at tight end ahead of Week 6.
Published: Thu, Oct 12 at 2:13pm by Rotowire.com
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Out for Week 5
Mitchell (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Panthers.
Analysis: Mitchell popped up on the injury report Friday with a hamstring injury and then was ruled doubtful for Sunday's game. Brock Wright and Darrell Daniels could see extended playing time as the backup tight ends behind Sam LaPorta with Mitchell out.
Published: Sun, Oct 8 at 9:04am by Rotowire.com
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Deemed doubtful for Week 5
Mitchell (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest against Carolina.
Analysis: Mitchell practiced in full Wednesday and Thursday but popped up on the injury report with a DNP due to a hamstring issue Friday. It doesn't bode well for the tight end's likelihood of playing Sunday that the injury occurred late in the week, though his potential absence probably won't have a major impact on the Lions' game plan since he hasn't logged more than 10 offensive snaps in any contest so far this season.
Published: Fri, Oct 6 at 4:29pm by Rotowire.com
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No opportunities on offense
Mitchell logged six offensive snaps but did not catch a pass during Thursday's 21-20 win over Kansas City.
Analysis: Mitchell enters the season as the No. 3 tight end behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright. His versatility as a pass catcher technically gives him some fantasy potential, but Mitchell is clearly at least an injury away from having a substantial role in the offense.
Published: Fri, Sep 8 at 8:38am by Rotowire.com
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Seems like 'roster lock'
Mitchell seems like a lock to make the roster, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Analysis: There may not be many snaps left for a No. 3 tight end behind Brock Wright and Sam LaPorta, but there could still be room for a couple of extra bodies since Detroit kept four tight ends on the roster last year. A 2022 fifth-round pick, Mitchell seems like the favorite for one of those spots. While he may not offer much as an in-line blocker, Mitchell is a talented receiver who could be a surprising contributor in 2023 if LaPorta ends up being slow to acclimate to the pro level.
Published: Thu, Jul 20 at 6:47am by Rotowire.com
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Records reception in season finale
Mitchell played 10 of the Lions' 60 snaps on offense and recorded a seven-yard reception in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Packers.
Analysis: Though he ranked third in snap share among Detroit tight ends in each of the final five games of the 2022 campaign, Mitchell still drew at least one target in all but one of those contests. All told, Mitchell turned in 11 receptions for 113 yards and one touchdown on 11 targets across his 14 appearances with the Lions in 2022. The 23-year-old is likely to remain in a depth role for Detroit heading into his second NFL season in 2023.
Published: Thu, Jan 12 at 9:45am by Rotowire.com
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No looks during offensive explosion
Mitchell did not see any targets in the passing game during Sunday's 41-14 win over the Jaguars.
Analysis: Like Shane Zylstra, Mitchell claimed a season-high 30 percent of the offensive snaps while Brock Wright saw his fewest proportion of snaps since T.J. Hockenson was dealt to the Vikings. It will be interesting to see if Mitchell's role could continue to grow down the stretch.
Published: Mon, Dec 5 at 2:33pm by Rotowire.com
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Makes play on Thanksgiving
Mitchell caught one pass on one target for 22 yards during Thursday's loss to the Bills.
Analysis: Mitchell continued to hover around a quarter of the offensive snaps, and his only production came on a broken play in which quarterback Jared Goff was able to set up Mitchell for a decent catch-and-run opportunity. Otherwise, Mitchell was a complete afterthought in the passing game as Goff largely looked to his wideouts plus D'Andre Swift all day. Expect more of the same for the fifth-round rookie in Week 13 against Jacksonville.
Published: Fri, Nov 25 at 10:44am by Rotowire.com
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Remaining in small role
Mitchell was not targeted with a pass during Sunday's 31-18 win over the Giants.
Analysis: After seeing an uptick in snaps between the first and second game since T.J. Hockenson was traded, Mitchell actually saw a slightly smaller portion of the snaps in the third game than he did the second. If Brock Wright continues to handle roughly three quarters of the snaps while Mitchell hovers around 20 percent, Mitchell won't be worth any consideration in fantasy circles. Up next is a Week 12 matchup with the Bills.
Published: Mon, Nov 21 at 4:18pm by Rotowire.com
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One catch against Bears
Mitchell secured his only target for four yards during Sunday's 31-30 win over the Bears.
Analysis: While Mitchell didn't build upon his two-catch outing in Week 9, the fifth-round rookie saw an uptick in playing time as the Lions attempt to replace T.J. Hockenson. Meanwhile, starter Brock Wright saw a slight downtick in snaps but was still able to find the end zone. Mitchell will look to up his involvement in Week 11 against the Giants.
Published: Tue, Nov 15 at 4:51pm by Rotowire.com
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First career touchdown
Mitchell caught two of two targets for eight yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 15-9 win over the Packers.
Analysis: While Detroit tight ends received only four of Jared Goff's 26 pass attempts in the team's first game without T.J. Hockenson, Mitchell received half of them and parlayed one into his first career touchdown. However, he also saw less playing time (13 offensive snaps) than new No. 1 tight end Brock Wright (50) and Shane Zylstra (16). Mitchell, a rookie fifth-rounder, should get plenty of opportunities to prove his worth as the rest of the year goes on, but his production figures to be…read more
Published: Mon, Nov 7 at 11:44am by Rotowire.com
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Looking at increased opportunities
Mitchell looks set for increased playing time in the wake of Detroit trading top tight end T.J. Hockenson being traded to the Vikings on Tuesday, Alec Lewis and Colton Pouncy of The Athletic report.
Analysis: Mitchell is likely still behind Brock Wright (head) for the time being, but with Hockenson no longer entrenched as the No. 1 tight end of the future, the Lions now have every incentive to take an extended look at the rookie fifth-round pick. Mitchell was a big-play threat back in college and averaged more than 17 yards per catch in 2019 and 2020, so his involvement will be worth keeping an eye on. He could emerge on the fantasy radar if he secures a significant pass-catching role with…read more
Published: Wed, Nov 2 at 7:32am by Rotowire.com
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Getting playing time
Mitchell logged five offensive snaps during Sunday's 29-0 loss to the Patriots.
Analysis: Mitchell made his regular-season debut last week against Seattle and was active again this week in New England, but the fifth-round rookie was limited to five snaps on offense. With T.J. Hockenson cemented atop the depth chart and Brock Wright maintaining the No. 2 role well, Mitchell may need to be used as an H-back in order to do any damage in the box score going forward.
Published: Mon, Oct 10 at 8:26am by Rotowire.com
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Sitting out again
Mitchell (coach's decision) will be sidelined Sunday against Minnesota.
Analysis: Mitchell will not suit up for the third consecutive week as the No. 4 tight end behind T.J. Hockenson, Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra. The rookie will look to work in practice next week to make his official NFL regular-season debut.
Published: Sun, Sep 25 at 9:06am by Rotowire.com
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Inactive once again
Mitchell (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Commanders.
Analysis: Mitchell will watch from the sidelines again in Week 2, as the rookie is still behind T.J. Hockenson, Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra on the team's tight end positional depth chart. He'll work in practice this week to get a chance to suit up in Week 3 against the Vikings.
Published: Sun, Sep 18 at 9:24am by Rotowire.com
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Healthy scratch
Mitchell (coach's decision) was inactive for Sunday's 38-35 loss to the Eagles.
Analysis: Mitchell was a healthy scratch as the No. 4 tight end behind T.J. Hockenson, Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra. While the fifth-round rookie could get worked into the offense in due time, it doesn't seem like that time will be coming soon.
Published: Sun, Sep 11 at 6:37pm by Rotowire.com
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Makes preseason debut
Mitchell secured both of his targets for nine yards during Saturday's preseason win over the Colts.
Analysis: Bouncing back from a torn ACL he suffered last year at Virginia Tech, Mitchell made his professional debut after the Lions cautiously held him out of the preseason opener. Altogether, he saw 23 offensive snaps and was able to get open for a couple of receptions. While the fifth-round rookie is no higher than No. 3 on the depth chart behind T.J. Hockenson and Brock Wright, the investment Detroit made in Mitchell could give him the leg up on Devin Funchess (shoulder) and Shane Zylstra for a…read more
Published: Sun, Aug 21 at 12:28pm by Rotowire.com
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Sidelined Friday
Mitchell is not expected to suit up for Friday night's preseason game against Atlanta, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.
Analysis: Mitchell just recently began working his way back into team activities after suffering a torn ACL during his final collegiate season with Virginia Tech. With the rookie tight end out, Brock Wright, Devin Funchess and Garrett Griffin should see increased usage.
Published: Fri, Aug 12 at 3:06pm by Rotowire.com
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Passes physical examination
Mitchell, who is coming off a torn ACL suffered last September, was medically cleared to practice Monday, Jeff Risdon of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Mitchell missed the final 11 games of his college career with Virginia Tech due to his season-ending injury, but he participated in each of the Lions' first two training camp practices this week, per Nick Baumgardner and Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. The rookie fifth-round pick's draft status likely suffered due to this significant knee injury, so he could compete with Brock Wright, Devin Funchess and Garrett Griffin for Detroit's No. 2 tight end spot should he impress during training camp.
Published: Thu, Jul 28 at 2:21pm by Rotowire.com
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Unavailable for Tuesday's practice
Mitchell (knee) was inactive for Tuesday's practice at mandatory minicamp, Jeremy Reisman of SB Nation reports.
Analysis: The rookie remains unavailable while rehabbing his knee after suffering a torn ACL in his final season at Virginia Tech. Mitchell expected to receive full medical clearance by now and it's unclear if he did so and was merely being held out as a precaution, but he'll likely be ready to go for next month's training camp. He'll operate as a depth option behind T.J. Hockenson at tight end once healthy.
Published: Tue, Jun 7 at 12:07pm by Rotowire.com
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