Chiefs' lack of practice squad elevations signals RB Elijah Mitchell will make 2025 NFL season debut vs. Broncos in Week 11
The Kansas City Chiefs opted not to elevate players from the practice squad for Week 11 vs. the Denver Broncos. That's a good sign for guys like WR Xavier Worthy (ankle) and DE George Karlaftis (thumb), who both popped up on the injury report this week. It also signals that a 2025 free agent will make his Chiefs debut.
Chiefs RB Elijah Mitchell poised to be active for first time in 2025
With Isiah Pacheco ruled out for the second consecutive game with an MCL sprain, the Chiefs appear poised to call upon Elijah Mitchell for the first time in 2025 in a pivotal AFC West matchup against the Denver Broncos. In Week 9 vs. the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City elevated RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire from the practice squad. He had just two carries for five yards during that game. Typically, the Chiefs like to keep three running backs active on gameday, which means that Mitchell will likely be active alongside fellow RBs Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith.
Mitchell was signed as a free agent during the 2025 NFL offseason, coming off a season-ending hamstring injury. A sixth-round draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, Mitchell racked up 963 rushing yards and five touchdowns as a rookie, also adding 19 catches for 137 yards and one receiving touchdown. He's not been as effective since his rookie campaign, missing 12 games in 2022 due to an MCL injury. He was relegated to a backup role behind Christian McCaffrey in 2023.
Chiefs RB Elijah Mitchell's career stats
- Games played: 27
- Games started: 12
- Carries: 327
- Rushing Yards: 1523
- Rushing TDs: 9
It's unclear just how much action Mitchell will see on Sunday afternoon against the Broncos. I'd still expect Hunt and Smith to get the majority of the carries with Pacheco ruled out. They've likely got a package of plays for Mitchell installed after the bye week to ease him in after being a healthy scratch all season long to this point.
During the 2025 NFL preseason, Mitchell has 10 carries for 33 yards and one rushing touchdown. His long rush of the preseason was seven yards against the Chicago Bears in preseason Week 3.
Rick Stroud's clear message highlights Jamel Dean's standout season
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' cornerback Jamel Dean is having a standout season, and everyone is noticing. Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud tuned in his opinion in response to his league-leading 29.7 passer rating allowed.
""A good reason not to take Jamel Dean off the field for 10 snaps a game to give reps to a rookie.""
Rick Stroud
That rookie is cornerback Jacob Parrish, who has struggled at times this season. Parrish boasts a 69.2 completion percentage allowed, above league average. The rookie certainly isn't elite yet, but he has played 67% of defensive snaps this season.
Another rookie corner back receiving playing time in Dean's stead is Benjamin Morrison. Despite a strong season, Morrison has played just six games due to injury. The 2025 second round selection has just allowed 58% of completions his way, but struggles against the deep ball.
His 108 passer rating allowed and 15.2 yards per target highlight this struggle. On the other hand, you have Dean, whose 45.9 completion percentage against leads the team by a wide margin. Dean hasn't allowed a touchdown yet this season and has recorded three interceptions.
Shockingly, Dean hasn't played much more than Parrish. His 75% of defensive snaps played is second among cornerbacks to Zyon McCollum's 100%. For some reason, Dean has played 80% or more defensive snaps just twice in eight games this season. Taking your elite defensive back off the field is odd in any situation, but especially with how well he's playing.
Rick Stroud's clear message highlights Jamel Dean's standout season
The veteran cornerback is in his seventh elite season in Tampa Bay. Throughout his career, he's allowed a 57.5% completion percentage and grabbed eleven interceptions, but somehow, never been elected to a Pro Bowl.
The 29-year-old leads a strong cornerback room that has been successful in stopping the pass this season. Despite elite efforts, the Bucs rank 24th in pass yards allowed per game. This is not the cornerbacks' fault, as the linebacker core is a proven liability against the pass.
Moving forward, retaining Dean is key to continuing to lead the corner back room, but Tampa Bay made that harder on itself. In September, the Buccaneers restructured Dean's contract to give cap space, but it will end a year sooner.
Dean will become a free agent after this season, and Bucs fans will hope to retain him. Unfortunately, his $4.5 million restructured salary will likely not repeat itself, despite entering his age-30 season. For reference, the Bucs were originally paying him $12.5 million this year.
Regardless of contract questions, Dean is an elite cornerback the Bucs are thankful to have. If he continues this production, he could easily be an All-Pro by the end of the season. One thing's for sure: head coach Todd Bowles must keep Dean on the field for continued success.
