Keaton Mitchell
Running Back #34
Keaton Mitchell News
Keaton Mitchell Remains a Long-term Stash Despite a Quiet Week
Despite modest results in a Week 5 loss to the Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell remains heavily involved in what has been arguably the league's most disappointing offense, pointing to potentially brighter days ahead. For the second week in a row, the Chargers leaned on a three-way backfield split, with Mitchell, Omarion Hampton, and Kimani Vidal all seeing the field for at least 20 snaps, and each seeing at least nine opportunities. Vidal, while still the least utilized, has been the team's most efficient runner, but Mitchell remains the designated passing back, with his 14 targets through five weeks more than doubling the combined total of the other two. While the current split makes none of the Chargers' backs a reliable weekly start, Mitchell's big-play ability, coupled with multiple paths to an expanded workload, makes him a must-roster player and a waiver stash to target wherever he's still available.
Oct 13, 2026 9:26 AM EST
Keaton Mitchell Carries Deep League Flex Appeal in Week 5 vs. Broncos
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell is coming off his busiest workload of the season. In Week 4, Mitchell saw a season-high 10 carries and out-snapped Omarion Hampton for the first time this season. The 24-year-old was one of Mike McDaniel's most wanted players during free agency and could be on the verge of establishing a key role in the offense. Mitchell enters Week 5 as RotoBaller's PPR RB35 in an intriguing matchup against division rival Denver Broncos. Heading into Sunday, the Broncos have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards and sixth-most yards per carry. They have also allowed the second-most 20-plus-yard carries, which favors an explosive running back like Mitchell. Mitchell should be viewed as an RB3 with upside in Week 5 and could be a viable flex option in deep leagues.
Oct 10, 2026 8:24 AM EST
Keaton Mitchell Forcing a Committee Approach for Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell has seen his usage increase week over week, and in Sunday's close loss to the Seahawks, he led all Chargers backs with a 36.6% snap share. Mitchell, Omarion Hampton, and Kimani Vidal all saw at least 25 snaps on Sunday, signaling a potential shift to a true committee approach. Through four weeks, both Mitchell and Vidal have been more efficient than the more highly touted Hampton while seeing more involvement in the passing game, though none can currently be relied on as a weekly fantasy start. However, with Mitchell having the most obvious big-play ability and earning more trust from the coaching staff each week, he's a Week 5 waiver target with long-term upside.
Oct 5, 2026 9:26 AM EST
Keaton Mitchell a Dicey Flex Play in Deep Leagues vs. Seahawks
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell is coming off his best performance of the 2026 season. Mitchell saw season highs in carries (8), rushing yards (52), targets (3), snap percentage (38), and found the end zone. In an increased role, he had 13.7 PPR points and was the RB15 that week. Entering Week 4, Mitchell is RotoBaller's PPR RB39 in a tough Seattle matchup against the reigning Super Bowl champions. The Seahawks' defense hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown, has given up the third-fewest yards per carry, and has allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards through three games. In addition, they haven't allowed a rushing play of 20-plus yards. Mitchell is a dynamic player with game-changing speed when he has the ball. However, Mitchell should be viewed as an RB4 and a risky flex option in a difficult Week 4 matchup.
Oct 3, 2026 5:21 AM EST
Keaton Mitchell is Ready to Go for Week 4
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (ankle) has been cleared to play during the upcoming Week 4 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Mitchell was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before getting through a full session on Friday. It appears the ankle issue won't be enough to keep him sidelined this weekend. Mitchell will serve as the primary backup to Omarion Hampton against a tough Seahawks defense. He looked decent on the ground last week when he rushed for 52 yards, but Mitchell remains a shaky fantasy option.
Oct 2, 2026 5:38 PM EST
Keaton Mitchell in a Walking Boot
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (ankle) was wearing a walking boot on his left foot when the locker room was open to reporters, according to ESPN's Kris Rhim. Mitchell initially wasn't on the injury report, but was later added as being limited due to an ankle issue. Mitchell said he was "OK" according to Rhim, so there is still a chance he is able to play this weekend when the Chargers take on the Seahawks. Mitchell is getting some deserved attention after a strong showing in Week 3 against the Bills, when he scored the team's only touchdown, racked up 52 yards on eight carries, and hauled in all three of his targets for a loss of five yards. Mitchell will be a deep-league FLEX option if he's healthy for Week 4, while Kimani Vidal would be worth a look if Mitchell's injury ends up costing him a game.
Oct 1, 2026 5:09 AM EST
Keaton Mitchell Limited on Wednesday With Ankle Injury
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (ankle) is on the team's injury report for Week 4 and was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday. Mitchell is now in question for the Week 4 game this Sunday in Seattle against the Seahawks after he was spotted wearing a walking boot on his left leg after he injured his ankle in Wednesday's practice. The good news is that the 24-year-old thinks he avoided a serious injury, but it does not mean that he will be active this weekend. We will keep a close eye on Mitchell's status over the next couple of days. If he is unable to get the green light to play against the Seahawks, Kimani Vidal would have flex appeal as the RB2 behind starter Omarion Hampton. Mitchell had his best game in a Chargers uniform in the Week 3 loss to the Buffalo Bills, carrying the ball eight times for 52 yards while catching all three of his targets for a loss of five yards. He has been extremely efficient, averaging 5.0 yards per carry on 17 rushing attempts through three games for a Chargers offense still looking for answers. If Mitchell is active this weekend, he should be considered a low-upside RB3/flex against a tough Seahawks defense.
Sep 30, 2026 3:43 PM EST
Keaton Mitchell a Worthy Waiver Wire Target Following Solid Week 3 Production
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell had his best game of the 2026 season in Week 3, recording 47 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 11 touches in his team's 24-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Mitchell has recorded 95 scrimmage yards on 21 touches across the Chargers' first three games of the season, and his production upside is limited by the presence of Los Angeles RB1 Omarion Hampton. However, Mitchell's usage has scaled up each week, and he played just three fewer snaps than Hampton in Week 3. While Hampton should be expected to remain the Chargers' lead back, Mitchell clearly has a role in his team's offense and could work his way into standalone fantasy value in deeper leagues. Obviously, Mitchell also offers significant upside for fantasy managers in the event of an injury to Hampton. In PPR-scoring leagues with 12 or more teams, Mitchell profiles as a worthy waiver wire target.
Sep 28, 2026 5:58 PM EST
Keaton Mitchell Off Deep League Radars in Week 3 vs. Bills
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell hasn't turned his explosiveness into fantasy production yet this year. The 24-year-old has nine carries for 33 yards, with his longest run going for 11 yards through two games. He has seen minimal touches and is the clear RB2 behind Omarion Hampton. Mitchell enters Week 3 as RotoBaller's PPR RB47 in a difficult matchup. The Bills defense has allowed the sixth-fewest yards per carry and the 11th-fewest rushing yards this season. The game also has the second-highest over/under total of the week (50.5). The Chargers will attempt to keep pace with the high-powered Josh Allen-led offense, but could be forced to play catch-up early. If Mitchell cannot earn passing-down snaps this week, he could get fazed out of the offense. Mitchell should remain out of fantasy lineups in Week 3 despite his intriguing explosiveness.
Sep 26, 2026 2:17 PM EST
Keaton Mitchell Still Waiting on a Bigger Role
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell got a little more work Sunday, but not enough to change the bigger picture in the backfield. Mitchell carried five times for 24 yards and caught his only target for 15 yards in the loss to Las Vegas after seeing four carries in Week 1. Omarion Hampton, meanwhile, handled 23 carries and caught both of his targets, so there is still a wide gap between the starter and everyone else. Kimani Vidal has yet to record an offensive touch through two games, but the Chargers continue to list Mitchell and Vidal together behind Hampton on the depth chart. That makes Mitchell interesting without making him trustworthy yet. The speed is there, and six touches were at least a small step forward, but fantasy managers need more before putting him anywhere near a lineup. RotoBaller ranks Mitchell 25th among Week 3 waiver options and recommends him in 12-team PPR leagues. For now, he is a stash for managers who can afford to wait on the role.
Sep 21, 2026 12:02 PM EST
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
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