Mitchell reverted to the Cowboys' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
With Luke Schoonmaker (groin) inactive and Jake Ferguson suffering an ankle injury in the first half, Mitchell played 31 offensive snaps behind Brevyn Spann-Ford. Mitchell actually got the scoring started, recovering a Javonte Williams goal-line fumble in the end zone. The tight end wasn't targeted in the passing game.
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Cowboys' James Mitchell: Elevated from practice squad
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The Cowboys elevated Mitchell from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
The move gives the Cowboys more depth at tight end in case Luke Schoonmaker (groin) is unable to play against the Cardinals on Sunday. If he is inactive, then Mitchell would serve as Dallas' TE3 behind Jake Ferguson and Brevyn Spann-Ford. Mitchell joined the Cowboys' practice squad Sept. 3 after failing to make the Panthers' 53-man roster after training camp, and Week 8 marks his first elevation of the season.
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James Mitchell: Joins Cowboys' practice squad
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Dallas signed Mitchell to its practice squad Thursday, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Mitchell cleared waivers after getting cut by the Panthers on Sunday, and he's getting an opportunity with a new team less than a week later. In a corresponding transaction, the Cowboys cut tight end Mitch Van Vooren.
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Panthers' James Mitchell: Re-signs with Panthers
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Mitchell has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Carolina, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Mitchell will continue to provide depth in a tight end room that also houses Ja'Tavion Sanders (lower leg), Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans. Across five regular-season games in 2025, Mitchell secured all three of his targets for 28 yards.
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Panthers' James Mitchell: Inactive vs. Seattle
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Mitchell (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.
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.
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Panthers' James Mitchell: Held catchless in Week 6
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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.
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 Sanders is cleared to return to action.
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James Mitchell: Reverts Monday
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Mitchell reverted to the Lions' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
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.
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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.
