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Elijah Mitchell Could Have a Role Vs. Commanders
The backfield is depleted for the Philadelphia Eagles, and veteran running back Elijah Mitchell could be thrust into a meaningful role against the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football in Week 8. He is currently on the practice squad and will need to be elevated to the active roster for the second week in a row, but that is just a formality. Starting running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring/back) is available and will likely draw the start, though his exact workload remains uncertain. The team also signed running back Jaydon Blue from the practice squad to the active roster on Oct. 28. However, fellow tailbacks Dameon Pierce (undisclosed), Tank Bigsby (abdomen) and Will Shipley (foot) are all currently on injured reserve, while Carson Steele (shoulder) was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement earlier this week. Mitchell played 14 offensive snaps and 15 special teams snaps in a 38-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football in Week 7. He recorded three carries for 11 yards and three receptions for 23 yards. Barkley, already dealing with a hamstring injury, suffered a back injury against the Cowboys and played only 10 offensive snaps. Barkley made the most of his limited touches, recording seven carries for 62 yards and a touchdown, along with two receptions for nine yards. Pierce left in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury after playing 42 offensive snaps and recording 14 carries for 47 yards and a touchdown, while adding one reception for one yard. Washington allows 100.5 yards on the ground per game (14th in the NFL) and, according to Pro Football Reference, just 14.4 fantasy points per game to running backs (sixth-best in the NFL). Through 29 career games, Mitchell has recorded 330 rushing attempts for 1,534 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding 31 receptions for 181 receiving yards and one touchdown. Mitchell ranks as RotoBaller's No. 42 running back for Week 8. With Barkley available, it is unclear how many touches Mitchell gets on Sunday. Mitchell should not be started, but could be worth picking up as a bench stash.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
How Large will Saquon Barkley's Workload be against Commanders?
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring/back) enters a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Washington Commanders without an injury designation. While Barkley is good to go and will likely start against Washington, his exact workload remains unclear as he continues to work through injuries. In a Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Barkley was highly efficient, recording seven carries for 62 yards (8.9 yards per carry) and a touchdown, in addition to two receptions for nine yards. However, Barkley, who entered the game with a hamstring injury, played just 10 offensive snaps after suffering a back injury during the game. It will be interesting to see if Philadelphia allows Barkley to play without limitations against the Commanders or not. With multiple injuries in the backfield, the Eagles signed running back Jaydon Blue to the active roster earlier this week and are expected to elevate tailback Elijah Mitchell from the practice to the active roster ahead of Sunday night as well. Mitchell earned 14 offensive snaps against the Cowboys and tallied three carries for 11 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and three receptions for 23 yards (7.7 yards per reception). Barkley will lead Philadelphia's backfield at Washington, but Mitchell and Blue could play roles. With Tanner McKee still settling in at quarterback, the ground game for the Eagles will be important against the Commanders. Against Washington in Week 1, Barkley recorded 15 rushes for 83 yards (5.5 yards per attempt). Through five appearances in 2026, Barkley has recorded 43 rushes for 244 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and one touchdown, while adding six catches for 17 yards (2.8 yards per reception). Washington allows 100.5 rushing yards per game (14th in the NFL), and 14.4 fantasy points per game to running backs (sixth-best in the NFL, according to Pro Football Reference). Barkley ranks as RotoBaller's No. 18 running back for Week 8, but it is wise to leave him in your lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Saquon Barkley Has No Injury Designation for Week 8
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring/back) has no injury designation for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders and is expected to play, according to Zach Berman. Barkley was listed as a nonparticipant on Wednesday's estimated injury report and missed Thursday's practice before returning to the field Friday. The 29-year-old missed Weeks 5 and 6 with a hamstring injury before returning against Dallas on Monday night, when a back issue cut his appearance short. Despite the limited playing time, Barkley rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown on seven carries while adding two receptions for nine yards. His expected availability is encouraging for fantasy managers, although his abbreviated outing against Dallas leaves some uncertainty about his workload. With Dameon Pierce now on injured reserve, Jaydon Blue is Philadelphia's primary healthy alternative on the active roster, while Elijah Mitchell remains on the practice squad.
Source: Zach Berman
Source: Zach Berman
Saquon Barkley seen practicing Friday
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring, back) was seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Friday, according to Brooks Kubena of The Athletic. Barkley did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but his presence at practice suggests he will have a chance to play on Sunday Night Football against the division-rival Washington Commanders while nursing hamstring and back injuries. The star RB returned from a two-game absence on Monday night in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys due to a hamstring injury and did not look comfortable, eventually being held out in the final quarter due to a compensatory back injury. Barkley said he would be fine to play on Sunday night on a short week, but he figures to be questionable to play Sunday evening, complicating fantasy managers' decisions to play him this week. With Dameon Pierce joining Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley on Injured Reserve, the Eagles could be down to Elijah Mitchell as their RB1 against Washington if Barkley is out or limited in Week 8.
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena
Saquon Barkley Hoping to Practice on Friday
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring/back) hopes to practice on Friday ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Barkley dealt with a hamstring strain he suffered in Week 4. He returned in Week 7 but was clearly hindered by the injury. Now, Barkley is listed with a back issue and has not practiced on Wednesday or Thursday. If he's unable to practice on Friday, he would likely be unable to play against the division rivals on Sunday. The ninth-year back has totaled 261 scrimmage yards and one touchdown in five games this season, with injuries affecting at least three of those games. If Barkley is unable to go in Week 8, both Elijah Mitchell and Jaydon Blue would handle the bulk of the work against a tough Commanders run defense.
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Saquon Barkley Missing Another Practice on Thursday
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring, back) has his availability for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders in question after he was not spotted warming up at Thursday's practice, according to Brooks Kubena of The Athletic. He was listed as an estimated nonparticipant Wednesday after returning from a two-game absence in Monday night's 38-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, rushing for 62 yards and a touchdown on seven carries but playing limited snaps after his back tightened up during the game. Barkley expressed optimism about his health afterward, yet his continued absence from practice remains worrisome. Dameon Pierce was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Philadelphia signed Jaydon Blue to its active roster, and Elijah Mitchell remains another potential backfield option.
Source: Brooks Kubena
Source: Brooks Kubena
Elijah Mitchell Likely the Lead RB if Teammate Can't Play Sunday
Philadelphia Eagles running back Elijah Mitchell signed with the team's practice squad just over a week ago and made his team debut against the Cowboys. He seems to be in position for a much larger role this week if Saquon Barkley (back, hamstring) is unable to play through his multiple injury issues. With Dameon Pierce (undisclosed) landing on the injured reserve along with Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, and Carson Steele, the Eagles will be very short-handed in the backfield if Barkley is not able to carry the full workload. The team resigned Jaydon Blue to the active roster as well, but Mitchell is a much more established option and is expected to be the lead back. Mitchell appeared in 27 games for the 49ers across three seasons from 2021 through 2023, totaling 1,523 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 327 carries, but he had not gotten a carry or a target since the end of the 2023 season until last Sunday. He had three carries for 11 yards and three catches for 23 yards against Dallas in his return. Mitchell will have instant fantasy relevance if he is in a big role against the Commanders on Sunday Night Football this week, so watch Barkley's status closely in practice this week.
Source: Andrew DiCecco
Source: Andrew DiCecco
Elijah Mitchell Offers Stash Value as Next Man Up in Philly
Philadelphia Eagles running back Elijah Mitchell made his team debut during last week's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He carried the ball three times for 11 yards, while hauling in three of his four targets for 23 additional yards through the air. Mitchell reverted to the practice squad on Tuesday, but he has a good chance of returning for the Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders. The Eagles are banged up with Saquon Barkley (hamstring, back) questionable right now, and three other backs on the Injured Reserve. There's a chance that Mitchell is the lead back or No. 2 option for this weekend. Fantasy managers in need of running back help in deep leagues should consider scooping up Mitchell.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Saquon Barkley is a Non-Participant on Wednesday
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring, back) was a non-participant during Wednesday's walkthrough, Zach Berman reports. This doesn't come as a surprise, given that Barkley is dealing with multiple injuries right now. He missed two games because of a hamstring issue, and he sat out the fourth quarter of Monday's game due to a back problem. The hope is that Barkley will get mixed back into practice throughout the week. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Eagles be cautious with Barkley during practice this week. Fantasy managers should check back on Friday to see what his game status is for the Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
Source: Zach Berman
Source: Zach Berman
Jaydon Blue on the Waiver Radar in Banged-Up Eagles Backfield
Philadelphia Eagles running back Jaydon Blue has now become a deep-league waiver-wire pickup at the running back position with an opportunity for a role in Philly's banged-up backfield after they placed Dameon Pierce (undisclosed) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. Pierce became the team's third RB placed on IR this season, joining Tank Bigsby (abdomen) and Will Shipley (foot), and with Saquon Barkley also nursing hamstring and back injuries going into a Week 8 matchup against the division-rival Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football, Blue has been added to the 53-man roster and could play a significant role when he makes his Eagles' debut this week. The 22-year-old former fifth-rounder by the Dallas Cowboys last year out of Texas will only be in play as a desperation flex option in the Eagles' depleted offense on Sunday night if Barkley does not play. Blue appeared in only five games for Dallas as a rookie in 2025 and handled just 38 carries for 129 yards and one touchdown while catching one pass for five yards. If Barkley misses another game, Blue will be battling with Elijah Mitchell for backfield touches in Philly.
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman
Dameon Pierce Goes on Injured Reserve With Undisclosed Injury
The Philadelphia Eagles placed running back Dameon Pierce (undisclosed) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday with an undisclosed injury that he suffered in the Monday night loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, according to Zach Berman of The Athletic. Pierce is now the third Eagles RB to land on IR this year, joining Tank Bigsby (abdomen) and Will Shipley (foot). Star running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring, back) missed two games with a hamstring injury before returning and battling through a back injury on Monday night, but he thinks he will be fine to play on a short week this Sunday night against the division-rival Washington Commanders. With Pierce now out for at least four games, the Eagles signed Jaydon Blue to the active 53-man roster as the direct backup to Barkley. In Pierce's three games with the Eagles, he was a plug-and-play fantasy option at the position with Barkley out, and he had 37 carries for 96 yards (2.6 yards per carry) and two touchdowns while adding seven receptions for 14 yards on 11 targets. He can now be dropped in most fantasy leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman
Eagles Cut Injured Running Back Carson Steele
The Philadelphia Eagles waived running back Carson Steele (shoulder) from Injured Reserve on Tuesday with an injury settlement, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Steele joined the Eagles' active roster in their Week 6 loss to the Carolina Panthers with running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) missing a second straight game, but the 24-year-old only managed to play 12 snaps before suffering a dislocated shoulder. If Steele clears waivers, he will revert to the Eagles' Injured Reserve. In just two games played for the Eagles this year, he has only one reception on two targets for four yards. The former undrafted free agent from UCLA was picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs and had 56 rushing attempts for 183 yards and caught seven of 11 targets for 26 yards as a rookie in 2024. Steele did not play at all in 2025 and remains well off the fantasy football radar in all leagues.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Saquon Barkley Not Worried About his Back Injury
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (back, hamstring) said his "hamstring came out great" after the Monday night loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys and does not think his back issue will keep him out after his highly efficient performance in the 38-21 loss, according to Tim McManus of ESPN. Barkley was questionable for the Week 7 game due to a hamstring injury that kept him out the previous two weeks. The Eagles tried to limit Barkley's carries, and that number dropped further when his back locked up as the game progressed on Monday. The 29-year-old played only nine offensive snaps and touched the ball every time he was on the field, finishing with seven carries for 62 yards and a touchdown while adding two catches for nine yards. He became the first NFL starter in the last 20 seasons to play at least nine offensive snaps in a game and get a touch on all of them. Barkley was seen wincing on the sideline, spent some time in the medical tent, and stretched with trainers on the bench. He tweaked his back on a 29-yard run in the first quarter, and it got progressively worse. Barkley's last snap of the game came in the third quarter. Tank Bigsby (abdomen), Will Shipley (foot), and Carson Steele (shoulder) are all on Injured Reserve, and Dameon Pierce left in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury. If Barkley and Pierce are not cleared for the Week 8 game on Sunday night against the division-rival Washington Commanders, the Eagles would be down to Elijah Mitchell in their backfield.
Source: ESPN.com - Tim McManus
Source: ESPN.com - Tim McManus
Saquon Barkley Says His "Hamstring Came Out Great" After Week 7 Return
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) returned from a two-week absence in the Eagles' Week 7 loss to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football. He only played nine snaps, but touched the ball every play he was on the field. He totaled 62 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries and added two catches for nine receiving yards. He tweaked his back and did not see the field after the third quarter, but after the game, he said he did not think the back issue would keep him out and that his hamstring felt good. As long as he doesn't have any setbacks or surprises this week, he should be ready for a larger role in Week 8, when the Eagles visit the Commanders on Sunday Night Football. Keep an eye on the injury report throughout the week for updates, but Barkley seems confident that he'll be ready to roll for next week.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Saquon Barkley Suffers Compensatory Back Injury on Monday Night
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (back, hamstring) said that he suffered a back injury while trying to compensate for his existing hamstring issue during a rushing attempt early in Monday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, according to EJ Smith of PHLY Sports. Barkley came into Week 7 listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, and he was initially playing through the injury before tweaking his back. As a result, the 29-year-old was used sparingly for the rest of the game, finishing with seven rushing attempts, 62 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, two catches, and nine receiving yards. His injury cleared the way for Dameon Pierce to lead the backfield in touches (15) for a third consecutive game, and he also scored a touchdown for the second week in a row. With the Eagles falling to 2-5, it's fair to assume the team may consider being extra cautious with how they handle Barkley's workload going forward. Pierce is an intriguing running back to roster in fantasy football as long as Barkley, Tank Bigsby (core), and Will Shipley (foot) are all banged up.
Source: EJ Smith
Source: EJ Smith
