The Baltimore Ravens eagerly await their playoff debut against the Houston Texans this Saturday after sitting out Super Wild Card Weekend.
The Ravens have a bevy of offensive skill players ready to attack defenses this postseason, including tight end Mark Andrews, who may return to action for the first time this weekend after suffering a seemingly season-ending leg injury in Week 11.
One player who has yet to take a snap for Baltimore but may end up playing a role for them in the playoffs is running back Dalvin Cook.
The Ravens signed the veteran back to the practice squad after the New York Jets released him before the final week of the regular season. Now, before their first playoff game, Baltimore has added Cook to the active roster.
When speaking with the media on Thursday, Cook was asked if he was ready for a significant workload if he was called on.
“Yes. It’s the playoffs, man,” Cook said. “You have to … I’m dialed up. I’m ready to give it all I have – everything I have in the tank. It’s the playoffs, man.”
Gus Edwards and Justice Hill have been the two mainstays in a running back room that has seen season-ending injuries to J.K. Dobbins and Keaton Mitchell this season. Cook is hopeful he can contribute alongside Edwards and Hill.
“They call 31’s number, I’m going to be out there,” Cook said. “I’m going to be on the field. I’m ready to make a play, but for me though, honestly, Gus [Edwards and] Justice [Hill], they put the work in all year. You have to credit those guys, so whatever my role is, whatever they call upon me [to do], they’ll get a thousand percent out of Dalvin.”
The Ravens will be hoping to get a better version of the Pro Bowl running back than the one that only posted 214 rushing yards on 67 carries for the Jets this season.