That leaves two running backs on the 53-man roster: Saquon Barkley and Dameon Pierce. Barkley has missed two straight games with a hamstring injury, and Will Shipley and Tank Bigsby are both on injured reserve. Until Barkley is cleared, Pierce is the only healthy back on the active roster.
What is confirmed
The team announced five transactions. Steele was waived/injured after he hurt his shoulder on his only touch of the season, a four-yard catch in Sunday's loss to Carolina. If he clears waivers, he reverts to the Eagles' injured reserve list. Blue was promoted to the active roster on Friday but did not play a snap against the Panthers, even after Steele went down. Philadelphia also released center James Brockermeyer and running back Ian Wheeler from the practice squad.
Mitchell knows the building. He was in Eagles training camp before an injury, went on injured reserve and was later released with an injury settlement. He has 327 career carries for 1,523 yards and nine touchdowns.
What is still open
Barkley's status for Week 7 is not settled. The Eagles play the Cowboys on Monday night, so the first practice reports later this week will matter. If Barkley can't go, Mitchell is the most likely practice-squad elevation to back up Pierce. The offense is also running through Tanner McKee now that Jalen Hurts is out for the season, which caps the ceiling for every skill player here.
What RSO owners should do now
Barkley owners should hold and wait for the practice reports. Nothing in Tuesday's moves points to a longer absence, but the team is now thin enough that it can't afford to rush him or sit him casually.
