Eagles Shake Up Roster Amid Running Back Crisis
The Philadelphia Eagles officially announced five transactions Tuesday evening, reshaping their roster as they grapple with a running back injury nightmare. With top backs like Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby sidelined, the team has been forced to scramble for depth, leading to moves that could impact their playoff hopes.
Steele’s Setback and Potential IR Placement
AJ Steele, a preseason favorite who earned a spot on the 53‑man roster after beginning the season on the practice squad, suffered a shoulder injury on his only carry—a four‑yard reception. He re‑entered the game but was forced to leave again, capping a frustrating week.
If Steele clears waivers, he will be placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least several weeks. The move underscores the precarious nature of the Eagles’ backfield depth.
Blue’s Brief Promotion and Practice Squad Uncertainty
The Eagles signed Marlon Blue, a fifth‑round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, to their practice squad in late August. He was promoted to the active roster on a Friday to serve as a third‑string back behind Dameon Pierce and Steele. However, even after Steele’s injury, the team did not trust Blue for offensive or special‑teams snaps.
Blue may revert to the practice squad if he clears waivers, leaving the Eagles again short on usable depth at the position.
Brockermeyer’s Release and Center Depth Shift
The Eagles signed Cole Brockermeyer to their practice squad earlier this month, bolstering center depth after trading Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens. With Drew Kendall reportedly nearing a return from injury, the team deemed Brockermeyer expendable and released him.
The move signals a lean approach to roster construction, favoring healthy, proven players over young depth.
Mitchell Returns for Running Back Depth
The Eagles signed DeAndre Mitchell, a veteran back with 327 career rushing attempts for 1,523 yards (4.7 ypr) and nine touchdowns, to add depth at the position. Mitchell previously spent training camp with the team, suffered a season‑ending injury, was placed on injured reserve, and later released with an injury settlement.
He is now back in Philadelphia as the Eagles evaluate the health of Saquon Barkley, who is still uncertain for Week 7. With Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley on injured reserve, Dameon Pierce remains the only healthy back on the 53‑man roster.
Depending on Barkley’s status, Mitchell could be elevated from the practice squad for Monday night’s tilt against the Dallas Cowboys, serving as either an RB2 or RB3 option.
Eagles’ Running Back Outlook Heading into Week 7
The Eagles’ backfield is in flux, but the immediate concern is depth rather than talent. With Pierce likely to remain the primary option and Mitchell standing by, the team’s ability to manage workload and avoid further injuries will dictate success against a physical Cowboys defense.
Fans should watch for any elevation of Mitchell and monitor Steele’s IR status. The transactions reflect a pragmatic approach: keep healthy contributors, move on from unproven depth, and be ready to plug in proven veterans if the injury situation worsens.
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