Keaton Mitchell
Running Back #34
Keaton Mitchell News
Keaton Mitchell Sees Six Touches in Week 2 Loss
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell had five carries for 24 yards in Sunday's devastating 26-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The 24-year-old also caught his lone target for 15 yards. Mitchell was one of Mike McDaniel's players he campaigned for during free agency; however, he has seen minimal touches translate into no fantasy success. Through two games, he has totaled nine carries for 33 yards and zero touchdowns. Mitchell has the speed and the explosiveness to be fantasy-relevant on limited touches, but he has yet to produce a carry over 12 yards. The East Carolina product should remain out of fantasy lineups in Week 3 as the team travels to Buffalo.
Sep 20, 2026 7:34 PM EST
Keaton Mitchell's Week 1 Role Makes Him a Strong Stash
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell didn't do much with his four carries in Sunday's 26-14 loss to Arizona, finishing with nine yards. His place in the backfield was more interesting than the production. Mitchell was the only Chargers running back besides Omarion Hampton to record a carry after entering Week 1 listed alongside Kimani Vidal for the backup job. The team's current depth chart now has Mitchell second and Vidal third. Hampton remains firmly in control after handling 12 carries and scoring a touchdown, so Mitchell isn't someone to put into fantasy lineups against Las Vegas this week. There is still plenty to like as a stash. Los Angeles signed Mitchell to a multi-year deal in March after he averaged 6.3 yards per carry over three seasons in Baltimore, and Week 1 offered an early indication that he may have the inside track on the No. 2 role. In 12-team leagues, Mitchell is worth grabbing now and keeping on the bench rather than waiting for his workload to grow.
Sep 14, 2026 11:52 AM EST
Keaton Mitchell Held Quiet in Week 1 Loss
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell had four carries for nine yards in Sunday's shocking 26-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The 24-year-old was a non-factor in the passing game and had zero targets out of the backfield. The Cardinals defense kept Mitchell in check all game and held him to 2.25 yards per carry. Mitchell is known for his explosiveness and speed in the open field but could not find space in the home opener. The East Carolina product should be out of fantasy lineups until he shows he can be a consistent fantasy producer. Mitchell and the Chargers will look to bounce back at home against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2.
Sep 13, 2026 7:42 PM EST
Keaton Mitchell Off the Injury Report, Cleared for Week 1
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (hamstring) is off the injury report and will play in his team's season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, per Kris Rhim of ESPN. Mitchell was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a hamstring injury, but he practiced in full on Friday and appears to be good to go for Week 1. The 24-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Chargers in free agency after recording 404 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 68 touches across 13 games with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. Entering 2026, Mitchell is expected to be the RB2 in Los Angeles behind second-year back Omarion Hampton. While Mitchell has been a highly efficient rusher when given the opportunity to this point in his career, he is unlikely to see a fantasy-relevant workload in the Chargers offense as long as Hampton remains healthy.
Sep 11, 2026 12:37 PM EST
Keaton Mitchell Stays Limited on Thursday
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (hamstring) remained limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday due to a hamstring injury, according to the team. Mitchell may have to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to be cleared to suit up in the Week 1 season opener this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. If Mitchell is cleared to suit up, he will be part of a committee backfield in L.A. that includes Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal, and he could have limited snaps coming off his hamstring injury. It all amounts to Mitchell lining up as a hard-to-trust RB4/flex in much deeper leagues. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent out of East Carolina has some explosiveness and big-play ability to his game, but he has played in only 26 games (two starts) in his first three years in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens due to injury issues. Mitchell is a viable handcuff for Hampton managers and is currently rostered in 41% of Yahoo leagues, but he is a tough sell as a Week 1 starter if he plays. Check back on Friday to find out Mitchell's final Week 1 injury status.
Sep 10, 2026 2:38 PM EST
Keaton Mitchell Limited with a Hamstring Injury on Wednesday
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, according to the team's official injury report. Mitchell has been dealing with the hamstring injury for a little while, so it's actually somewhat encouraging that he was able to practice even in a limited capacity. With that being said, his status for Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals remains up in the air. Fantasy managers should monitor the Chargers' injury reports over the next two days to see if Mitchell's status improves at all. If he doesn't end up playing on Sunday, Kimani Vidal would step up as the Chargers' No. 2 running back behind Omarion Hampton.
Sep 9, 2026 8:34 PM EST
Keaton Mitchell Back at Practice on Monday
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (undisclosed) was back at practice on Monday after missing each of the last six practices, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. It is a good sign that Mitchell is back at practice to begin the new week, but it does not guarantee that he will be active for Week 1 this Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Arizona Cardinals. If the 24-year-old is limited or out to begin the regular season, it would mean more backfield work for both Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal. In new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme, Mitchell, Hampton, and Vidal are all expected to be used in some sort of committee approach. However, Hampton is expected to see the majority of opportunities, with Mitchell and Vidal picking up scraps as change-of-pace options to keep defenses on their toes. Mitchell has intriguing explosiveness and big-play ability out of the backfield, but his inability to stay healthy so far at the NFL level and committee involvement make him merely a bench stash in fantasy leagues rather than a weekly start to open the 2026 campaign.
Sep 7, 2026 12:40 PM EST
Keaton Mitchell Missing Another Practice
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (undisclosed) was not practicing on Thursday during the portion open to the media, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. Mitchell was working off to the side with a trainer, and he has now missed six straight practices. It is unclear what the 24-year-old is dealing with as the start of the 2026 regular season quickly approaches, and Mitchell's status for the Week 1 contest on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Arizona Cardinals is now in question. If Mitchell is limited or out to begin the year, second-year back Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal will both have higher fantasy ceilings against Arizona. A former undrafted free agent from East Carolina, Mitchell played in just 26 games (two starts) in his first three NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens due to injuries, although he has always been an intriguing big-play threat out of the backfield with explosive tendencies. When Mitchell, Hampton, and Vidal are all healthy in 2026, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel plans for them all to have a role, although Hampton is the clear favorite to lead the Bolts in backfield touches. Mitchell's fantasy ceiling and floor will not be very high unless Hampton misses time with an injury, but Mitchell himself must get healthy first. RotoBaller has him ranked as the RB46.
Sep 3, 2026 11:50 AM EST
Keaton Mitchell Continues to Miss Practice
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (undisclosed) missed a fourth straight practice on Monday with an undisclosed injury, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. Mitchell was seen working off to the side with a trainer. It does not sound like a serious injury, and the 24-year-old will have all of next week to return to practice before the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 13. Still, it is something to keep an eye on for the Chargers' backfield, as both Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal could be in line for bigger roles if Mitchell is limited or out to begin the season. For what it is worth, general manager Joe Hortiz said that he thinks Mitchell will be active next weekend against the Cardinals. Hampton, who is entering his second season, is the Bolts' clear lead back, but new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel could ride the hot hand with Hampton, Mitchell, and Vidal on a week-to-week basis. Mitchell has explosive abilities out of the backfield, but volume will be a concern, and he has played in just 26 games (two starts) in his first three NFL seasons due to injuries. Fantasy managers should consider Mitchell an interesting late-round handcuff or depth piece for RB depth. RotoBaller has him ranked as the RB46 for 2026.
Aug 31, 2026 2:37 PM EST
Keaton Mitchell Suffers a "Setback"
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (undisclosed) has missed two straight training camp practices, and offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said he had a "setback," according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. Mitchell is set to have a role in McDaniel's offense in 2026 on a weekly basis alongside Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal, but it is unclear if his recent setback will put him in any danger of missing Week 1 of the regular season against the Arizona Cardinals. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent from East Carolina latched on with the Baltimore Ravens and spent his first three years in the NFL with the Ravens, but he managed to play in only 26 games (two starts) due to injuries, recording 767 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 121 carries. Mitchell is highly explosive when healthy, but his lack of pass-catching skills in a committee approach in L.A. in 2026 will severely cap his fantasy upside if both Hampton and Vidal stay healthy. In half-PPR formats, RotoBaller has Mitchell ranked as the No. 42 fantasy RB for 2026 in his first year with the Bolts.
Aug 24, 2026 12:45 PM EST
Keaton Mitchell Is Becoming a Sneaky Late-Round Target
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell has a little more separation in the race behind Omarion Hampton. The Chargers' current depth chart lists Mitchell second at running back, with Kimani Vidal on the next line, and Mitchell was involved early Thursday night before a 21-yard catch was wiped out by penalty. The 5-foot-8, 191-pound back doesn't need many touches to change a game. He ran for 341 yards on 59 carries last season, averaged 5.8 yards per attempt and added nine catches for 63 yards. Los Angeles also noted that Mitchell led the NFL in average run speed in 2025 at 14.49 mph and had 11 runs of at least 10 yards. Mike McDaniel has already said he expects to use Hampton, Mitchell and Vidal every week and could ride the hot hand, so this isn't a clean backup situation. Hampton still leads the room. Mitchell just looks like the best bet for the change-of-pace work right now, and his speed gives him enough standalone upside to stay interesting late in deeper redraft drafts.
Aug 21, 2026 9:47 AM EST
Keaton Mitchell's Preseason Absence Hints at Prominent Role?
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell did not play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Houston Texans, joining Omarion Hampton, Justin Herbert and several other established starters on the sideline. That could be another clue that Mitchell has a real role waiting for him in Mike McDaniel's offense. The Chargers' current depth chart lists the 24-year-old second behind Hampton, and McDaniel has already said he plans to use all three of his top backs during the regular season. Mitchell gives the group something different with his speed. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry on 59 attempts for Baltimore last season and has averaged 6.3 yards per rush for his career. Nothing about sitting out one preseason game guarantees a major workload, but the Chargers apparently didn't need to see Mitchell in game action while evaluating the rest of the backfield. For a player who has never topped 59 carries in a season, that's an encouraging sign that his workload could grow in Los Angeles.
Aug 14, 2026 10:29 AM EST
Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal All in Chargers' Weekly Plans
Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel does not sound interested in choosing just one backup behind Omarion Hampton. According to Alex Insdorf, McDaniel said he plans to use Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal in every game. The team's first unofficial depth chart, released Sunday, still lists Hampton as the starter, with Mitchell or Vidal in the top backup spot. Hampton rushed for 545 yards and four touchdowns in nine games as a rookie, while Vidal stepped in for 643 rushing yards and three scores. Mitchell brings a different element after averaging 5.8 yards per carry on 59 attempts for Baltimore last season. McDaniel's comment should not be read as a three-way split, but it does make the backfield a little less clean for fantasy. Hampton remains the clear lead option, while Mitchell and Vidal both have paths to weekly touches. That makes the backup picture worth watching rather than assuming one of them will simply disappear.
Aug 10, 2026 11:38 AM EST
Chargers Have a Role Planned for Keaton Mitchell
In signing speedy running back Keaton Mitchell to a two-year deal, the Los Angeles Chargers provided offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel with a unique weapon that could find a significant role in 2026. McDaniel recently told ESPN's Dan Graziano, "He's as dynamic as they come with the ball in his hands in space," going on to say, "He's a matchup issue for every defense. I think he has a lot of pass-game value that he hasn't been able to really represent in his career, but it's showing so far in camp. He's a playmaker that I'm very excited about." Mitchell is likely to work as the Chargers' primary change-of-pace back behind presumed starter Omarion Hampton, with last year's leading rusher Kimani Vidal serving as more of a direct handcuff, more capable of handling a full workload if called upon. While any fantasy viability for Vidal is injury-dependent, Mitchell should see his own standalone value and is a high-upside swing as RotoBaller's RB42.
Aug 4, 2026 7:37 AM EST
Keaton Mitchell Projected to Edge Out Kimani Vidal for Chargers RB2 Job
The Los Angeles Chargers are projected to have one of the most improved offensive units for 2026, and a player the coaching staff is reportedly high on is running back Keaton Mitchell, who joined the team on a two-year deal and is battling with third-year player Kimani Vidal for the primary backup role behind 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton. Appearing on The Athletic Football Show, Chargers beat reporter Daniel Popper expressed a belief that Mitchell has the edge over Vidal, who led the team in rushing attempts and yards with Hampton sidelined for much of his 2025 rookie season. Mitchell offers explosiveness and an ability to stress the edges of a defense, and he could see work in a change-of-pace capacity throughout the year. At only 5'8" and 191 pounds, however, he's unlikely to hold anything close to an every-down role should Hampton again be forced to miss time, with Vidal the more likely option to step in at that point. At RotBaller's RB42, Mitchell should hold enough standalone value to make him a worthy selection in the late rounds of 2026 drafts, while Vidal factors more as an in-season waiver add as RotoBaller's RB74.
Aug 2, 2026 5:37 AM EST
Keaton Mitchell Could be Low-Cost Trade Target
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell could be primed for a breakout campaign in 2026. Due to injuries and Derrick Henry, Mitchell wasn't able to fully unleash his skillset during his time in Baltimore. The 24-year-old has now moved on and signed a two-year deal with the Chargers this offseason. Mitchell has a clearer path to carries with Omarion Hampton as the only other legitimate threat on the roster. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel wasn't afraid to pound the ball with De'Von Achane in Miami. He has a few viable options in Hampton, Mitchell, and Kimani Vidal in Los Angeles. If Mitchell can prove he's healthy, there's a good chance he becomes the change-of-pace back behind Hampton. His fantasy value is likely only going to rise, so fantasy managers should target him now as a low-cost option before the season begins.
Jul 20, 2026 5:49 PM EST
Is Keaton Mitchell Primed for a Modest Breakout with the Chargers?
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell has averaged more than six yards per rushing attempt through his first three seasons in the league, but injuries and a sub-200-pound frame have limited him to fewer than 60 carries every year. Landing in a Chargers offense, where new coordinator Mike McDaniel values speed above perhaps any other trait, Mitchell has a chance to see the largest workload of his career. Having run a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Combine, Mitchell is a player who only gets faster when the pads come on. Per Next Gen Stats, his 14.49 MPH average run speed per carry in 2025 led all players with at least 50 attempts and was more than a full mile per hour faster than the next player on the list, Miami's De'Von Achane. While it's unreasonable to expect a similar level of impact from Mitchell, Achane was one of the league's most explosive players in McDaniel's offense, and if the 24-year-old former undrafted free agent can see even a modest uptick in usage in that same system, he could see weekly fantasy viability as a flex-worthy starter. All indications are that Los Angeles' backfield will run through 2025 first-rounder Omarion Hampton, but Mitchell has both the ability and the environment to develop into one of the most efficient change-of-pace backs in the league, and at RotoBaller's dynasty RB80, he's a low-cost trade target who could see his value rise considerably in the coming years.
Jun 30, 2026 6:00 AM EST
Can Keaton Mitchell Carve Out a Large Enough Role for a Fantasy Breakout?
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell brought energy and excitement to the field throughout his three-year stint with the Ravens, but injuries and a 191-pound frame have limited him to only 144 total opportunities across those three seasons. Regularly showcasing his game-breaking speed, he averaged a whopping 6.8 yards per touch on that minimal workload, and in agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with the Chargers, he lands with an offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel who arguably values speed more than any playcaller in the league. Mitchell is expected to serve primarily as a change-of-pace back behind 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton, so he won't see the type of volume that allowed McDaniel to turn past speedsters De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert into Pro Bowlers, but in an offense known for creating space for its playmakers, a career year is very much in the cards. At only 24 years old, Mitchell is RotoBaller's RB80, but now, almost 30 months removed from the ACL tear that ended his rookie season and cost him the majority of his sophomore campaign, he is an easy player to get excited about and a low-cost breakout candidate, particularly in best ball formats.
Jun 7, 2026 5:41 AM EST
Keaton Mitchell's Dynasty Value Rising Heading into 2026
After spending the first three seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, running back Keaton Mitchell landed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers earlier this offseason. Mitchell's playing time in Baltimore was limited by injury issues and the presence of star Ravens running back Derrick Henry. However, Mitchell has averaged a highly efficient 6.8 yards per touch across a limited sample size of 140 career touches. 2025 first-round running back Omarion Hampton profiles as the clear RB1 in Los Angeles ahead of Mitchell. Still, Mitchell should have a chance to carve out a consistent RB2 and pass-catching role behind Hampton. He also has the benefit of working with new Chargers play-caller Mike McDaniel, who has proven the ability to produce offenses with multiple fantasy-relevant running backs during his time as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Dynasty managers should approach Mitchell with cautious optimism following his offseason move to Los Angeles.
Apr 30, 2026 8:59 AM EST
Keaton Mitchell to Play a Key Role on New Team?
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell is embarking on the next chapter of his career after switching teams during free agency. After spending his first three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Mitchell signed with the Chargers. He goes from playing for John Harbaugh in Baltimore to playing for Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles. Mitchell had an underwhelming three-year stint with the Ravens, peaking as the overall RB59 as a rookie in 2023. Occupying a depth role has limited his upside, but injury issues have been a greater burden to his development. He missed 21 games over his first two seasons in the league, as well as an additional four games last year. If Mitchell, now 24, can stay healthy with the Bolts, he has the potential to carve out standalone fantasy value as an RB3/flex. The East Carolina product has flashed some of the best burst in the NFL, consistently breaking off huge runs and capitalizing on his limited playing time. A more consistent role -- now behind Omarion Hampton in L.A. -- could be exactly what he needs to finally break out. The scheme represents a great fit, too, as he'll now be playing for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who was able to maximize the potential of similar speedy running backs like Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane in Miami. Mitchell isn't a top-36 running back in dynasty or redraft formats yet, but he's an intriguing buy-low candidate because of his upside.
Apr 6, 2026 6:48 PM EST
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