The Baltimore Ravens had arguably the best move of the offseason, acquiring the services of future Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry via free agency. Henry, who led the NFL in rushing yards in 2019 and 2020, will join two-time MVP and quarterback Lamar Jackson in the backfield next fall, forming one of the most lethal tandems in the league. However, with the NFL expanding to 17 regular season games and Henry entering his age-30 season, depth in the running back room remains paramount. On Wednesday, head coach John Harbaugh spoke about the health status of Henry’s presumed backup, rusher Keoton Mitchell.
Mitchell suffered a torn ACL last season and continues his steady return to the football field. However, Harbaugh urged patience and caution when discussing Mitchell’s prospects for the 2024 season.
Baltimore Ravens HC John Harbaugh: Speaks on Keaton Mitchell
John Harbaugh, the frontman for the Baltimore Ravens since 2008, spoke to the media on Wednesday, giving a much-needed update on last year’s standout rookie running back Keaton Mitchell. Harbaugh states that Mitchell is “on schedule,” but the team will take their time with the young rusher. Mitchell opened his rookie season last year on the injured reserve, debuting in mid-October. However, he returned to the injured reserve in December after suffering a torn ACL in Week 15.
Ravens HC John Harbaugh said RB Keaton Mitchell, is “on schedule” in his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered in Week 15, but he will not be back for training camp, and he is not expected back until “sometime during the season. It’s not like right around the corner.” pic.twitter.com/NkoqWOrdBM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 22, 2024
Harbaugh continued, saying that despite Mitchell not having suffered a setback, he is “not expected back until sometime during the season. It’s not like right around the corner.”
Keaton Mitchell: Fantastic Rookie Season
While on the field, Keaton Mitchell was showcased as one of the best rushers in the NFL. The East Carolina product appeared in eight games, making two starts and rushing for 396 yards on 47 attempts (8.4 yards per attempt). He also did well as a pass-catcher, snagging nine passes for 93 yards. An undrafted rookie free agent, Mitchell shined in college, accumulating 3,607 all-purpose yards across three seasons.
With Mitchell expected to miss a large portion of the regular season, Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali will slot behind off-season acquisition Derrick Henry. Hill has spent his entire four-year NFL career in Baltimore, rushing for 934 yards on 4.6 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Ali is a fifth-round selection pick from last April’s draft. Ali tallied 1,348 scrimmage yards and 16 touchdowns for Marshall in 2023.
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