Eagles Add Ex-49ers Back Mitchell as Barkley Insurance
WHO:
philadelphiaeagles.com - Ian Wheeler was accepted into Howard University’s College of Medicine and is an aspiring physician.
philadelphiaeagles.com - The Philadelphia Eagles signed running back Elijah Mitchell to their practice squad and waived running backs Jaydon Blue and Carson Steele from the active roster. Steele was waived with an injury designation.
philadelphiaeagles.com - The Eagles also released center James Brockermeyer and running back Ian Wheeler from the practice squad.
Heavy NFL - Elijah Mitchell is a former San Francisco 49ers running back; Heavy described his Philadelphia opportunity as insurance for Saquon Barkley.
philadelphiaeagles.com - Mitchell was a sixth-round pick by the 49ers in 2021. He recorded 1,523 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 27 games for San Francisco.
philadelphiaeagles.com - Mitchell appeared in one game for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025 and later signed with the New England Patriots’ practice squad.
philadelphiaeagles.com - Blue was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Texas. In five rookie-season games for Dallas, he had 129 rushing yards on 34 attempts and one touchdown.
philadelphiaeagles.com - Blue ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds and, in his final Texas season, rushed for 730 yards and eight touchdowns at 5.4 yards per carry; he also caught six touchdowns.
philadelphiaeagles.com - Steele originally signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2024 after playing at UCLA. In the Eagles’ preseason, he recorded two receiving touchdowns, led the team in receiving yards in two games, and hurdled two Patriots.
philadelphiaeagles.com - Wheeler averaged 6.5 yards per carry at Howard, totaling 1,143 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns over four seasons. He later helped the Louisville Kings win the United Football League championship and was named United Bowl MVP, with 81 yards and one touchdown on 8.1 yards per run.
WHAT:
philadelphiaeagles.com - After being waived by Chicago in 2025, Wheeler spent a month on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad.
philadelphiaeagles.com - Mitchell returned to Philadelphia on the practice squad after being released by the Eagles in August. He had initially joined the team during the offseason but was injured during training camp.
philadelphiaeagles.com - Blue had joined the Eagles’ practice squad before the season and was promoted to the active roster on Saturday. Dallas waived him during final roster cuts.
philadelphiaeagles.com - The Eagles signed Steele from the practice squad before their Week 5 matchup in London after injuries to Barkley and Tank Bigsby. Steele caught a four-yard screen against Carolina in Week 6, left with a shoulder injury, later returned, and was limited.
Heavy NFL - Mitchell joined Philadelphia amid injuries to Barkley and several Eagles backup players.
philadelphiaeagles.com - Brockermeyer went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, signed with Atlanta, was waived during final roster cuts, rejoined the Falcons’ practice squad, and later joined the Eagles’ practice squad.
philadelphiaeagles.com - Wheeler signed with the Eagles’ practice squad after being an undrafted free agent in 2024. He deferred medical-school enrollment to pursue an NFL career and suffered a knee injury in Chicago’s final preseason game in 2024.
WHERE:
philadelphiaeagles.com - Mitchell’s NFL teams included San Francisco, Kansas City, New England, and Philadelphia. Blue played for Dallas; Steele played against Carolina; Brockermeyer played college football at Alabama, Texas Christian University, and Miami.
philadelphiaeagles.com - Steele’s Eagles call-up preceded a Week 5 game in London. Wheeler played for the Louisville Kings in the United Football League.
WHY:
Heavy NFL - The Eagles added Mitchell as insurance amid injuries to Barkley and backup players.
philadelphiaeagles.com - Steele was waived with an injury designation after a shoulder injury; his Week 5 promotion followed injuries to Barkley and Bigsby.
HOW:
philadelphiaeagles.com - Wheeler averaged 8.1 yards per run for 81 yards and a touchdown during the Louisville Kings’ championship season.
philadelphiaeagles.com - The Eagles added Mitchell to the practice squad, waived Blue and Steele from the active roster, and released Brockermeyer and Wheeler from the practice squad.
philadelphiaeagles.com - Brockermeyer is a 6-foot-3, 298-pound offensive lineman. He transferred from Alabama to Texas Christian University for 2024 and to Miami in 2025, earned first-team All-American honors, and helped Miami reach the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship. His father, Blake Brockermeyer, played 14 NFL seasons as an offensive tackle for Carolina, Chicago, and Denver.
Ian Wheeler has been accepted into Howard University’s College of Medicine and hopes to become a physician. Before that, he spent a month on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad after Chicago waived him in 2025. During the Louisville Kings’ championship season, Wheeler averaged 8.1 yards per run, totaling 81 yards and a touchdown.