There was a lot for the Baltimore Ravens to be happy about following their Sunday Night Football victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 23-7 victory helped them become the first AFC team to clinch a playoff spot and they hold the No. 1 seed in the conference.
However, it certainly wasn’t all smiles and happiness for the team after the game. That is because they have lost yet another key member of the team to what looks to be a serious injury.
In the fourth quarter, running back Keaton Mitchell broke through the line of scrimmage for yet another chunk play. But, as he was tripped up and tackled by Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard, Mitchell landed awkwardly, which led to his left leg bending in a fashion legs aren’t intended to.
NFL News & Rumors: Lamar Jackson, Keaton Mitchell, John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens Updates
It looked like a serious injury as the cart was needed to help him off the field. Talking about it after the game, head coach John Harbaugh offered an ominous update. “It looks like he won’t be back for the rest of this season,” Harbaugh said.
The Ravens can not catch a break when it comes to injuries. Mitchell is the third key player on the offense, and the second running back after J.K. Dobbins in Week 1, to suffer a season-ending injury. Tight end Mark Andrews is also out after hurting his ankle in Week 11. Offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley has also been banged up and exited Sunday night’s game against the Jaguars.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Harbaugh said. “He’s just got a great attitude and demeanor about him, and it’s a guy that he wants to do well. He deserves to do well.”
Mitchell, an undrafted rookie out of East Carolina, was one of the most explosive players in the NFL this season. He was averaging a video game-like 8.4 yards per rushing attempt, showcasing game-breaking speed and athleticism whenever he touched the ball.
Teams have enough to worry about with quarterback Lamar Jackson rushing the ball; putting a player like Mitchell next to him in the backfield makes it all the more difficult. On the play Mitchell was hurt on, Jackson thought he was taking it to the house for a score.
NFL News & Rumors: Lamar Jackson, Keaton Mitchell, John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens Updates
“He’s lights out,” Jackson said. “He was starting to get started. So that’s tough to see.”
Per ESPN, “The Ravens lost Mitchell on a night when they dominated running the ball. Baltimore gained 251 yards, which marked the 12th time the team has surpassed 250 yards on the ground since Jackson took over as the starting quarterback midway through the 2018 season. No other team in the NFL has more than five such games over that span, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.”
Without Mitchell, the Ravens will turn to Gus Edwards and Justice Hill to handle the backfield duties. Veteran Melvin Gordon will be elevated from the practice squad to take Mitchell’s spot on the roster.
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