KeatonMitchell

News: 20 hours agoMitchell (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Spin: After six straight missed practices, Mitchell's return is a positive step for his Week 1 outlook against the Cardinals. When healthy, Mitchell is expected to serve in a sort-of lightning role to Omarion Hampton's thunder out of the backfield. Mitchell may not be immediately usable in fantasy leagues as a starter, but he's one of the higher-upside bench stashes to see what his role is under new OC Mike McDaniel, who personally campaigned for Mitchell's signing in Los Angeles.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Mitchell signed with the Chargers after spending his first three NFL seasons with Baltimore. The 2023 UDFA will compete with Kimani Vidal for change-of-pace touches behind starter Omarion Hampton. Mitchell has been limited to 140 touches over his first three NFL seasons, but he has been extremely productive when called upon. His career 6.34 yards per carry ranks second and his 2.50 YAC fourth among 89 backs with 100-plus carries since 2023. He has also put up 184 yards on 23 targets (8.0 YPT). Mitchell is on the small side, so his ceiling is likely capped (he has never cleared 11 touches in a game), but the 24-year-old would be worth adding should Hampton miss time.