Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell got a nice Christmas present on Wednesday—his first touches of the 2024 season. Mitchell, who was activated in week 10 after being on the Physically Unable to Perform List since July 15, made three appearances before this game.
However, Wednesday saw his first carries (11 for 20 yards) and receptions (a really nice 28-yard play) of the campaign.
Mitchell played 17 snaps in total, mainly due to Justice Hill having to miss out, with the Ravens’ backup running back currently in concussion protocol. Obviously, Derrick Henry is the King of the running back position group, and Hill is his backup, but Mitchell could play a role next week against Cleveland and maybe even see some time in the postseason.
He has an easy-to-root-for underdog story, as he made the squad last year as an undrafted free agent out of East Carolina. Mitchell had quite a few impressive moments in 2023, but unfortunately, he tore his ACL in week 15 that season.
For him to come back from a serious injury like that and now play a role in a very competitive backfield is a tremendous accomplishment, to say the least.