Mitchell (knee) remains on track for Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in May, ESPN.com's Mike Reiss reports.

EDGE Analysis

A 2016 fourth-round pick, Mitchell caught 32 of 48 targets for 401 yards (8.4 YPT) and four touchdowns in 14 regular-season games as a rookie, but then missed all of last season while recovering from an unspecified knee injury. He was spotted at a practice during the Patriots' playoff run, and he said in late February that he was feeling great and expected to be ready for the start of the offseason workout program in mid-April. Mitchell may have the opportunity to compete for a regular spot in three-wide formations, after the Patriots lost Danny Amendola to the Dolphins and traded Brandin Cooks to the Rams. Chris Hogan and Julian Edelman (knee) figure to occupy two of the three spots, assuming the latter makes a successful recovery from last year's torn ACL. Other candidates include Phillip Dorsett, Kenny Britt and Cordarrelle Patterson, with more help potentially coming after the NFL Draft.

Mitchell (knee) recently said he expects to be ready for OTAs this spring, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mitchell suffered an undisclosed knee injury during the 2017 preseason and spent the entire year on injured reserve, never reaching a point where he was healthy enough to be activated to the 53-man roster. However, it appears the third-year receiver is making significant progress in his recovery and should be ready to go when his team begins preparations for the 2018 campaign.

The Patriots won't activate Mitchell (knee) from injured reserve, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mitchell's three-week window for activation from IR was scheduled to close Wednesday, and after appearing only a few times in drills during that stretch, the decision was likely an easy one for the Patriots to make. As a result, his second pro campaign will close without a single offensive snap due to a right knee injury suffered in the preseason.

Mitchell (knee) wasn't in attendance for the start of the Patriots' practice Wednesday, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

By virtue of designating Mitchell to return from injured reserve three weeks ago, the Patriots must formally decide Wednesday whether or not to activate the wideout, who has been sidelined all season with a right knee injury. Though Mitchell was able to put in some practice time last week ahead of the Patriots' eventual victory over the Titans in the divisional round, his absence Wednesday hints that New England has likely opted to shut him down for good. Expect the team to provide an official announcement regarding Mitchell's status once practice concludes.

Mitchell (knee) won't play in Saturday's playoff game against the Titans since he wasn't activated off IR by Friday afternoon's deadline to do so, NESN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mitchell practiced Thursday, but he won't be activated in advance of the divisional round of the playoffs. Should the Patriots advance to the AFC Championship, the deadline to activate the wideout would be Wednesday afternoon. Though Mitchell isn't ready to return to action just yet, the Patriots have ample wide receiver depth heading into the weekend, with Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola, Kenny Britt and Phillip Dorsett all on hand.

Mitchell (knee) returned to practice Thursday, the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

The wideout is still on IR, so he's not listed on the Patriots' injury report ahead of Saturday's playoff game against the Titans. Mitchell can be activated to the team's 53-man roster at any time up until Wednesday, but we'd be surprised if that occurs in advance of this weekend's divisional-round playoff tilt.

Mitchell (knee) did not practice Wednesday, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mitchell's continued absence from practice hints that it's possible the Patriots have shut the wideout down for the remainder of the season, but there's been no confirmation of such an outcome, either way, to date. The team has until Jan. 17 to activate Mitchell off IR, but at this stage, it looks safe to assume that he won't be available for Saturday's playoff game against the Titans.

Mitchell (knee) wasn't present for the portion of Tuesday's practice available to the media, Jim McBride of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mitchell won't appear on the Patriots' official injury report since he remains on injured reserve, but his absence Tuesday seemingly doesn't bode well for his chances of being activated ahead of Saturday's divisional-round matchup with the Titans. The Patriots would still have until Jan. 17 to evaluate Mitchell for a potential return, though that would be a moot point if New England loses to Tennessee.

The Patriots didn't activate Mitchell (knee) from injured reserve ahead of their regular-season finale against the Jets, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mitchell, who has been sidelined all season with the right knee injury, returned to practice this week, but it appears he'll need additional time to shake off rust. Though he failed to suit up during the regular season, Mitchell remains eligible to rejoin the Patriots in the playoffs if the team determines he's healthy enough to contribute. The Patriots will have until Jan. 17 to add Mitchell to the 53-man roster.

Mitchell (knee) has returned to practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

For now, Mitchell does not count against the team's 53-man roster, but should the Patriots officially activate the 2016 fourth-rounder in the coming days/weeks, he'd give the team some added wideout depth in advance of the postseason. In his last game action, Mitchell hauled in six of seven targets for 70 yards in New England's 34-28 Super Bowl LI overtime victory over the Falcons.