Baltimore Ravens Running Back Keaton Mitchell Sidelined with ACL Tear

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18/12/2023 21h25

Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell suffered a full tear of the ACL in his left knee during Sunday night's game, according to a source close to the situation. The injury, confirmed by Ravens' coach John Harbaugh during a media session on Monday, adds to the growing list of setbacks for the team's offense.

Despite the unfortunate news, there is a sense of optimism regarding Mitchell's recovery, as the source informed ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. While the specifics of the injury were not disclosed, Harbaugh mentioned that there was no cartilage damage, which suggests a potentially smoother rehabilitation process.

Mitchell, an undrafted rookie who had been making a significant impact, sustained the injury in the fourth quarter of the Ravens' 23-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Safety Andrew Wingard tripped him up, causing Mitchell's left leg to bend awkwardly upon landing.

This marks the third major injury blow for the Baltimore offense this season. Starting running back J.K. Dobbins suffered an Achilles injury in the season opener, bringing an early end to his season. Furthermore, tight end Mark Andrews will miss a significant portion of the remaining regular season after injuring his ankle in Week 11.

Prior to his injury, Mitchell had been performing impressively, starting Sunday's game and accumulating 73 yards on nine carries, with an average of 8.1 yards per carry. Throughout the season, he has rushed for 396 yards on 47 carries, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt, and has scored two rushing touchdowns.

In Mitchell's absence, the Ravens will rely on Gus Edwards and Justice Hill to carry the workload in the backfield. To fill the void left by Mitchell, the team plans to promote two-time Pro Bowl running back Melvin Gordon from the practice squad, as confirmed by Harbaugh.

"Melvin has been working super hard. He's in great shape, and he'll be ready to go," Harbaugh stated on Sunday night.

The loss of Mitchell certainly poses a challenge for the Ravens, but under Harbaugh's guidance, the team remains determined to adapt and persevere. As the NFL's top-ranked rushing attack, they aim to adjust their strategy and continue their successful season.

With the regular season in full swing, Mitchell will now focus on his recovery process, working alongside the team to regain full fitness. The Ravens organization and fans alike will be eager to see him return to the field stronger than ever.

ESPN's Jamison Hensley contributed to this report.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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