Quinyon

Mitchell

Mitchell practiced in full on Thursday and Friday, indicating the shoulder injury he suffered last week is at least manageable for the breakout rookie cornerback. Mitchell and Terry McLaurin have faced each other twice this season, with Mitchell allowing zero receptions in Week 11 and McLaurin handily besting him in Week 16. This is a matchup to watch closely on Sunday.

The star rookie corner was knocked from last week’s divisional round matchup against the Rams but is well on his way to playing in the conference championship game against the Commanders. The Eagles defense will need all hands on deck if it hopes to slow Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, and an offense that totaled four offensive touchdowns in last week’s win over the Lions. Barring an unexpected turn of events, it sounds like we can expect Mitchell to be on the field come Sunday. He’ll have a chance to log another full practice on Friday before the team releases its final injury report for the week.

This is great news for the Eagles’ stud rookie perimeter cornerback, who exited the Divisional Round game against the Rams due to the injury. He is on track to play against the Commanders this weekend.

Mitchell’s statement was in response to a reporter asking whether there are long-term concerns regarding the shoulder injury. While Mitchell will likely undergo further testing tomorrow, initial signs are positive. Hopefully, Mitchell can return in time for the NFC Championship against the Commanders.

The shoulder injury Mitchell suffered early in the first quarter will now sideline him for the remainder of the game. The rookie corner’s absence will be felt in the second half, but may be less impactful since the snow set in and appears to be having an effect on both team’s passing games.

Mitchell suffered his injury while making a tackle on a scrambling Matthew Stafford. The rookie first-round pick has played a key role in Philly’s defensive success, appearing on the most defensive snaps of any defender on the team while earning a PFF coverage grade of 74.0. Mitchell exited on the Rams’ first drive of the game and did not return for the second series. After exiting the blue medical tent, Mitchell was seen heading to the locker room for X-rays.

The Eagles’ front office bolstered the secondary by spending first- and second-round draft picks on CBs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean this offseason, softening the loss of Rodgers for Week 1. Rodgers logged three straight limited participant designations this week so he is likely to return in time for Week 2.

The Eagles selected Mitchell with the No. 22 overall pick in this year’s draft. Expected to provide an immediate boost to a secondary that allowed the second-most touchdown passes (35) and passing yards per game (252.7) of any team in the league. Mitchell totaled six interceptions during his four years at Toledo and earned a PFF coverage grade of 91.6 last season.

The Eagles, sporting one of the NFL’s worst coverage units in 2023, address an area of need in the first round. A late rising three-star in the recruiting process, Mitchell eschewed several higher profile offers out of loyalty to Toledo whom he initially committed to. He was forced to sit freshman year due to academic restrictions, enrolling in 2020 and playing in six games before assuming a starting role in 2021 when he recorded an 80th percentile PFF defensive grade. Mitchell’s standout play hit the stratosphere in 2022 allowing just 27 receptions on 70 targets (39%) for 270 yards, 25 PBU (#1 in FBS), five interceptions and an absurd 5.7 raw QBR. He returned this year and proceeded to establish himself as a Second Team All-American performer for the second consecutive season, earning a well-deserved Senior Bowl invite. He solidified his status as a top flight corner at the Senior Bowl by shutting down the best receivers the 2024 class has to offer. Answered questions about his ability to stay with upper-echelon wideouts in man coverage by making numerous plays on Power Five standouts in Senior Bowl practice sessions. His athletic bonafides were confirmed at the Combine when he ran a smoking 4.33s 40-yard dash (99th%), jumped 38” (85th%) and 20 bench reps for a remarkable 9.79 RAS. Mitchell has a rocked up, square frame but proved he could mirror even the most agile slot wideouts when called upon. He played relatively little press-man at Toledo, but was comfortable enough in off zone coverage to rack up a robust 44 PBU over the last two seasons with 82 tackles and 6 INT.