The Baltimore Ravens have made a significant move to strengthen their running back corps by signing Melvin Gordon III from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. This decision comes after Keaton Mitchell's season-ending knee injury in Sunday's 23-7 victory over the Jaguars, as Mitchell was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday.

Gordon, who has been with the Ravens' practice squad throughout the season, had previously been elevated for three games. In those appearances, he showcased his skill set by rushing for 53 yards on 13 carries. The 30-year-old running back's last game action was in Week 4 against the Browns, where he carried the ball three times for 22 yards and caught one pass for 23 yards.

With the addition of Gordon, the Ravens expect him to provide depth to the running back rotation, serving as a valuable backup to Gus Edwards and Justice Hill. Head Coach John Harbaugh expressed his excitement about having Gordon join the mix, highlighting his pedigree and work ethic.

"Melvin Gordon is a high-pedigree football player in this league," Harbaugh stated. "It's almost kind of shocking that we're going to have the opportunity to put him into the mix right now, and he's been wanting to be in the mix... When the opportunity comes, I'll be ready."

Gordon, who is in his ninth NFL season, boasts an impressive career resume. He achieved a career-high of 1,105 rushing yards with the Chargers in 2017 and led the Broncos in rushing during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, gaining 986 and 918 yards, respectively. Additionally, Gordon has displayed versatility as a pass-catching threat with 312 career receptions.

To further bolster their running back options, the Ravens have also signed former Maryland running back Jake Funk to their practice squad. Funk, a standout at Damascus High School, set a state record with an impressive 57 touchdowns during his senior season.

After a successful college career at Maryland, Funk was drafted in the seventh round by the Rams in 2021, winning a Super Bowl in his rookie season primarily through his contributions on special teams. Following his time with the Rams, Funk played briefly with the Colts before being released from Miami's practice squad on November 18.

The Ravens' decision to sign both Melvin Gordon III and Jake Funk demonstrates their commitment to maintaining a strong running back rotation as they continue their push in the NFL season.