The Ravens became the first AFC team to clinch a playoff berth on Sunday, but the team lost another key offensive contributor in the process. Running back Keaton Mitchell is out for the remainder of the season, head coach John Harbaugh said after the game.
Harbaugh also indicated, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, that Mitchell will require surgery due to the “serious” knee injury he suffered in the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s game. Rapoport notes Mitchell’s availability for the beginning of the 2024 campaign could be up in the air, but in any case, his absence will be acutely felt for the remainder of the current season.
Mitchell joined Baltimore as a UDFA this spring, and he was unable to find playing time for the early portion of the season. The Ravens’ backfield suffered a blow in Week 1 when starter J.K. Dobbins tore his Achilles, however, which helped pave the way for Mitchell to carve out a role for himself. The 21-year-old recorded at least eight carries in five of his six appearances once he found himself in the lineup, showcasing an explosive ability and impressive speed.
The East Carolina product recorded 396 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 47 carries, good for an average of 8.4 yards per carry. Mitchell also added nine catches for 93 yards in his brief stint as a focal point of the Ravens’ offense. Baltimore will still have a strong ground game in his absence, but losing Mitchell in addition to Dobbins and All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews (who is likely out for the rest of 2023) will deal another notable blow to the team’s skill position group.
The Ravens will move forward with Gus Edwards and Justice Hill atop the RB depth chart. The pair rank second and fourth on the team in rushing, respectively, and they are now in line to see their workloads increase. Baltimore will add Melvin Gordon to the active roster from the practice squad, Harbaugh added, via Rapoport’s colleague Mike Garafolo. The veteran has logged 13 carries across two games this season, his first with the team.
With quarterback Lamar Jackson leading the way, the Ravens own the league’s top rushing attack (averaging 164 yards per game on the ground). With Mitchell no longer in the picture, though, it will be interesting to see if they can maintain a strong ground game through the rest of December and into the postseason.
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