If Philadelphia Eagles fans had been told before Week 1 that running back Elijah Mitchell would be their starter in Week 8, the whole city would have been laughing. No one is laughing now.
The Eagles' backfield has been plagued by injuries all season, with starter Saquon Barkley the biggest concern, missing two straight days of practice with hamstring and back injuries. Philly currently has Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, and Dameon Pierce on IR. That doesn't even include Carson Steele, who was also on IR but was released as part of an injury settlement.
This leaves the Eagles with a nightmare scenario in the backfield: Mitchell and Jaydon Blue as the only healthy backs. Mitchell might be playing his biggest role in years.
Elijah Mitchell has come a long way to be Eagles' potential starter at RB
As a sixth-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Mitchell had about as good a start to a Day 3 rookie as anyone could have had. In 11 games, he finished with 963 rushing yards and five touchdowns, plus 137 receiving yards and one more touchdown.
Many thought the 49ers had their future star running back, but things changed quickly. Injuries ultimately derailed his tenure with the 49ers, and he rushed for just 560 yards and four touchdowns in 2022 and 2023. He missed all of 2024 and lost his job.
Last year, he played for the Kansas City Chiefs but appeared in only one game. He did not record any stats.
Eagles turned to Elijah Mitchell to step up in Week 7 (and he delivered)
Mitchell joined the Eagles this summer, as he was seen as a perfect fit for new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion's scheme. Mannion's offense resembles what 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan runs, so many felt Mitchell would be a major asset during this tough transition for the franchise.
It was short-lived, though, as Mitchell was cut from the team mid-training camp. The Eagles brought him back last week ahead of their Week 7 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
During the Cowboys matchup, Barkley only played 10 snaps, as his hamstring and back bothered him throughout the game. Pierce got injured in the fourth quarter, opening the door for Mitchell to play.
Mitchell put together a strong audition tape in the backfield, rushing three times for 11 yards and catching three passes for 23 yards. Eagles wide receiver and returner Britain Covey also got hurt, leaving Mitchell as the team's main kickoff returner, taking three returns for 27 yards.
Elijah Mitchell made himself important for Eagles in Week 8
No Eagles fan could have imagined that, going into their Week 8 game against the Washington Commanders, Mitchell would be in line to start, with Blue as the potential backup. This would have been a worst-case scenario for the Eagles, but there are reasons to be optimistic.
Mitchell has proven to be a more effective receiver in the backfield than Pierce was, as Tanner McKee has been prone to dumping the ball off to the running backs. This could be a major advantage for the Eagles' offense, as they can lean on Mitchell's versatility.
Blue has been on the roster most of the season, but the Eagles turning to Mitchell over him in Week 7 shows Philly trusts the former 49ers back more. Mitchell will most likely start over Blue.
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Barkley would be the preferred backfield option for Sunday night, but it looks like Mitchell will carry the heavy load for the Eagles. This might actually work out for the better, though Philly's 2026 outlook looks grim. Mitchell could still surprise some people against Washington.
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