The Lions signed Mitchell to their practice squad Wednesday.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Participates in offseason program
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Mitchell (hand) was seen catching passes last week during the beginning of Detroit's offseason program.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Goes on IR
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Mitchell (hand) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Won't play against Rams
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Mitchell (hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's wild-card round game against the Rams, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Not playing Week 6
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Mitchell (hamstring) will remain sidelined for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Misses second straight practice
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Mitchell (hamstring) did not participate at practice Thursday.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Deemed doubtful for Week 5
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Mitchell (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest against Carolina.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Records reception in season finale
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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.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Remaining in small role
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Mitchell was not targeted with a pass during Sunday's 31-18 win over the Giants.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: One catch against Bears
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Mitchell secured his only target for four yards during Sunday's 31-30 win over the Bears.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Looking at increased opportunities
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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.
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 Hockenson out of the mix.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Getting playing time
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Mitchell logged five offensive snaps during Sunday's 29-0 loss to the Patriots.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Sitting out again
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Mitchell (coach's decision) will be sidelined Sunday against Minnesota.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Healthy scratch
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Mitchell (coach's decision) was inactive for Sunday's 38-35 loss to the Eagles.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Makes preseason debut
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Mitchell secured both of his targets for nine yards during Saturday's preseason win over the Colts.
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 roster spot.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Sidelined Friday
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Mitchell is not expected to suit up for Friday night's preseason game against Atlanta, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Passes physical examination
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Mitchell, who is coming off a torn ACL suffered last September, was medically cleared to practice Monday, Jeff Risdon of USA Today reports.
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.
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Lions' James Mitchell: Nearing full medical clearance
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Mitchell (knee) expects to receive full medical clearance by June, Benjamin Raven of MLive.com reports. "I'm seven months out, seven months and some weeks," Mitchell said. "I'm pretty much back. I'm doing everything from running, cutting, running routes. I'm expected to be fully cleared by June at the latest. I'll be ready to go by training camp. I'm excited."
Mitchell presumably fell to the fifth round of last week's draft due to an ACL injury he suffered last September. When healthy, the Virginia Tech product should slot no lower than fourth on the depth chart entering training camp. If all goes right this summer, Mitchell could possibly challenge Brock Wright and Garrett Griffin for the No. 2 role at tight end behind T.J. Hockenson -- while possibly getting snaps at H-back as well.
