With the confirmation of running back Keaton Mitchell’s season-ending knee injury, the Baltimore Ravens find themselves in need of a rusher to help alleviate the workload of starter Gus Edwards.
While adding an additional player at the position remains a distance possibility, the primary backup duties are expected to remain with veteran Justice Hill.
Hill had five carries for 23 yards during Baltimore’s 23-7 playoff-clinching victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday night — taking over the complementary role to Edwards after Mitchell suffered a torn ACL with just over 13 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. While his Week 15 stat line may not leap from the page, Hill finds himself in position to become a significant factor in the Ravens running game, as well as a backfield receiver.
For Hill, being ‘next man up’ is a role with which he has some familiarity. During the first nine weeks of the season, Hill averaged 7.3 carries for 31.4 yards to go with 1.9 receptions for 8.4 yards — doing so while Mitchell was on injured reserve to start the season, or reduced to a minimal role.
Though Hill is unlikely to equal Edward’s production, his increased usage should allow him to showcase his skill set. Drafted by Baltimore in the fourth round, 113th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft, he is no stranger to the Ravens’ backfield. In 56 career games with the Ravens, he has compiled 860 yards on 190 carries with five rushing touchdowns, while catching 42 passes for 233 yards.
As the Ravens now march toward the playoffs, both Edwards and quarterback Lamar Jackson will appreciate the contributions Hill can make toward the ground game.For better or worse, he is ‘next man up’ in the team’s rotation — and he just might be eager enough to turn some heads in the process.
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