Patriots head coach Bill Belichick hasn't ruled out activating Mitchell (knee) from injured reserve before the regular season concludes, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports. "[Activating a player from IR] is still available for us, and if we feel like it was something that could help us, and there was an opportunity to use it, then we would use it," Belichick said Tuesday. "It's still an option."

EDGE Analysis

If the Patriots due use the second of their designated-to-return spots, Mitchell and defensive tackle Vincent Valentine (knee) would be the only viable candidates, given where they are at in their respective recovery processes. Mitchell, who has been sidelined all season with the right knee injury, has kept himself ready by attending team meetings, but it's unclear if he's actually capable of practicing yet. The Patriots having seemingly prepared for the possibility of Mitchell not returning this season with their recent signing of Kenny Britt, who made his team debut in the Week 15 win over the Steelers.

The Patriots don't appear to be counting on Mitchell (knee) to return from injured reserve this season, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

A few weeks ago, it seemed that there was a more legitimate chance that Mitchell, who was shut down ahead of Week 1 with the knee issue, would be designated to return from IR, but with the wideout yet to resume practicing, it's looking unlikely that he'll play in any of the Patriots' remaining three contests. The team's recent signing of fellow wideout Kenny Britt signals that the Patriots may have already ruled out Mitchell playing at any point in 2017.

Mitchell (knee) is scheduled to be evaluated this week, at which point the Patriots could decide to designate him as one of their two players eligible to return from injured reserve, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Reiss, a source close to the wideout said Mitchell is "getting better, for sure," an encouraging development after a report about a month earlier suggested it was unlikely he would be under consideration for an activation from IR. Though Mitchell is improving, it's still unclear just how close he might be to resuming practicing, but the evaluation later this week should shed more light on his health. Mitchell's potential late-season return would be a boon to a Patriots receiving corps that has played without No. 2 wideout Chris Hogan (shoulder) the last two games.

Mitchell (knee) is "not close" to being in consideration to return to practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The initial thought was that Mitchell could be a candidate for short-term injured reserve, but it seems his recovery isn't going as quickly as planned. Since the Patriots -- who've been struggling defensively -- have other options to activate from IR in the form of DT Vincent Valentine (knee) and LB Shae McClellin (undisclosed), it's possible Mitchell might not return at any point this season.

The Patriots have placed Mitchell (knee) on IR, per the official NFL media site's transaction log.

EDGE Analysis

In a corresponding move, the Patriots promoted Ted Karras from their practice squad. Per ESPN's Mike Reiss, Mitchell could emerge as a short-term IR candidate for the Patriots, but the wideout's placement on IR on Thursday effectively rules Mitchell out through Week 9. As a result, the Patriots' wideout corps for Week 1 is headed by Chris Hogan, Brandin Cooks, and Danny Amendola, with newcomer Phillip Dorsett also in the mix.

The Patriots plan to place Mitchell on IR, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

We'll await official confirmation of the move, but it's safe to say that Mitchell is in line to be inactive Thursday night against the Chiefs. As Mike Reiss of ESPN.com notes, Mitchell's status presumably contributed to the Patriots' urgency to acquire Phillip Dorsett from the Colts. It remains to be seen whether Mitchell has a chance to return to action as the season rolls along, but in his absence, the team's wideout corps will feature listed starters Brandin Cooks and Chris Hogan, as well as Dorsett and slot man Danny Amendola.

Mitchell (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday night's season opener against the Chiefs.

EDGE Analysis

Julian Edelman's season-ending knee injury has freed up some targets in the Patriots' passing attack, and that applies to Mitchell when he's available. Fellow wideouts Brandin Cooks and Chris Hogan also figure to see an uptick in targets as starters, but we'd also expect Mitchell to be in the mix, given that slot man Danny Amendola's snaps could be managed.

Mitchell (knee) practiced on a limited basis Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Mitchell aggravated his right knee in preseason Week 2, keeping him out of practice until last Tuesday. Since then, he hasn't progressed beyond a limited participant in drills and now has just one practice remaining this week to prove the injury is behind him. Even if he's active for Thursday's regular-season opener against the Chiefs, he may be used sparsely, or not at all, in order to avoid a setback. In the wake of Julian Edelman's season-ending ACL tear, Mitchell is likely in line for more than the 3.4 targets per game he picked up as a rookie in 2016.

Mitchell (knee) was limited at Monday's practice, the Patriots' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

We'll track Mitchell's status as Thursday's season opener against the Chiefs approaches, but the fact that the second-year wideout was able to work in any capacity suggests that his limitations Monday could be maintenance-related. Julian Edelman's season-ending knee injury opens up some targets for the team's healthy pass-catchers, including Mitchell when he's available. Fellow wideouts Brandin Cooks and Chris Hogan figure to see an uptick in targets in their starting roles, but we'd also expect Mitchell to factor in, given that slot man Danny Amendola's snaps figure to be managed some by the team's coaching staff.

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

EDGE Analysis

Mitchell aggravated a knee injury Aug. 19 and subsequently missed last week's preseason game against the Lions. Julian Edelman (knee) suffered a season-ending injury in that contest, moving Mitchell up a tick on the depth chart. The second-year pro may still have a hard time getting on the field, as Danny Amendola's experience playing the slot makes him the obvious replacement for Edelman in three-wide formations. Mitchell does at least profile as the top backup for starting outside receivers Brandin Cooks and Chris Hogan.