Keaton Mitchell’s return will have to wait at least a few more days.
The Ravens’ second-year running back was not activated Saturday from the physically unable to perform list, which means he won’t play Sunday against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium. Mitchell, who practiced fully this week for the first time all season, could make his season debut next week on “Thursday Night Football” against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals.
An undrafted rookie from East Carolina, Mitchell broke out last season with 396 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while catching nine passes for 93 yards in eight games. However, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 17 and has not played in a game since.
Mitchell, 22, tore three ligaments and cartilage in what was described as a “nasty” injury, but there was no nerve damage or other complications and he’s been ahead of schedule in his recovery. In September, he posted on X that he had reached 20-plus mph while working out.
“The main thing as a coach [that] you look at [is that] he’s looking good, so it’s good to see him back,” coach John Harbaugh said Friday. “That’s a tough rehab he had, and it’s been stellar – his progress. So, we’ll see where we’re at.”
The 5-foot-8, 191-pound Mitchell is expected to return to a backfield that already includes the league’s leading rusher in Derrick Henry (946 yards, nine touchdowns) and versatile veteran Justice Hill, who recently signed a contract extension. Quarterback Lamar Jackson, a leading candidate to win a third NFL Most Valuable Player Award, also ranks 12th in the league with 501 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
“It’s great to have [Mitchell] back out there,” Jackson said Friday. “I told him earlier; he caught a little small pass, [and] he took off. I’m like, ‘You’re starting to look like last year’s Keaton.’ So, it’s great to see him back in good spirits. He always was in good spirits, but just to see him on the field with us is good to see.”
The Ravens also promoted defensive linemen Josh Tupou and Chris Wormley from the practice squad to play Sunday. Baltimore needs reinforcements up front after Michael Pierce was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury and Brent Urban was ruled out with a concussion suffered in last week’s loss to the Cleveland Browns. Travis Jones is also questionable with an ankle injury.
A 2017 third-round pick by the Ravens, Wormley returned in September after three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and five games with the Carolina Panthers. Tupou has played six seasons with the Bengals, recording 86 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks.