Dalvin Cook is ‘ready to give it all’ he has for the playoffs
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.
Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh discussed how the injury to running back Keaton Mitchell will impact the offense moving forward
The Baltimore Ravens found a particular player in running back Keaton Mitchell. The undrafted rookie out of East Carolina made a name for himself on the field for Baltimore this season but suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Losing Mitchell will be challenging for the Ravens as they embark on what hopefully will be a Super Bowl journey, but it won’t be impossible to overcome his absence. Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh was asked how Mitchell’s injury would impact the offense, and he was honest in his assessment.
“Well, we’re going to run our offense. It’ll be our offense with the guys we have. The plays that [Keaton Mitchell] was running, the other guys can run. Everybody puts their own fingerprint on the play. The play looks the way it does a lot of times because the guys running it. That’s really the personality of a play – everybody runs similar plays, but not all of them look the same. So, the guys running it will put their flair onto it, and obviously it will be … We’re going to miss Keaton. He’s a great player, a great guy, one of the young guys [and] kind of a revelation. He’ll continue to be that when he comes back, and the other guys will get their chance, and they’ll go get the job done.”
In the latest “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys get into Week 16’s biggest matchups, the BIlls’ run game, and the Eagles’ backslide.
It’s time for Week 16 of the 2023 NFL season, and Greg Cosell of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup, and Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire and the USA Today Sports Media Group, are here to get you ready for the most important games and interesting matchups:
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings — How rookies Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs have come to define the Lions’ offense, and what the Bengals may have taught the rest of the NFL about how to attack Brian Flores’ crazy-quilt Vikings defense.
Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins — Why the Cowboys had best be ready for Raheem Mostert and Miami’s run game, and the keys to the Dolphins’ drastic defensive improvement in the second half of the season.
Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers — Speaking of drastic defensive improvement in the second half of the season, did you know that the 49ers rank first in the NFL in Defensive DVOA since Week 10? A severe test for Lamar Jackson and Baltimore’s offense, especially without rookie running back Keaton Mitchell.
The guys also get into how the Seattle Seahawks beat the Philadelphia Eagles with the same play twice, and the Buffalo Bills’ amazing journey into becoming a force in the run game.
John Harbaugh expresses confidence in Melvin Gordon following season-ending injury to Keaton Mitchell
The Baltimore Ravens have elevated veteran running back Melvin Gordon to the 53-man roster following the season-ending ACL injury to undrafted rookie running back Keaton Mitchell in the Week 15 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Head Coach John Harbaugh expressed confidence in Gordon when speaking to the media on Monday.
“Melvin Gordon [III] is a high-pedigree football player in this league,” Harbaugh said. “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 into the mix. Like you said, he was up for three games. He’s been practicing and working so hard. Like he would say, ‘Hey. When the opportunity comes, I’ll be ready.’ He had a smile and would say that to me once a week, and you [knew] it was true because he practices that way. I’m sure he was champing at the bit and wanting to get out there and contribute, so his opportunity comes, and he’s been there before. He’s a high-pedigree, great player. [He’s] talented. You can’t hide talent.”
Gordon played in three games for the Ravens earlier this season before the emergence of Mitchell. In those three appearances, Gordon carried the ball 13 times for 53 rushing yards while adding 46 yards through the air on three receptions.
Gus Edwards and Justice Hill are in line to take the bulk of the work as we advance, but Gordon should find snaps here and there to contribute down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs for Baltimore.
Ravens sign former Maryland RB Jake Funk to practice squad
Following the season-ending ACL injury to undrafted rookie running back Keaton Mitchell in the Week 15 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Baltimore Ravens have added another running back, signing former Maryland running back Jake Funk to the practice squad.
We have signed RB Melvin Gordon III from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
We have also signed RB Jake Funk to the practice squad and placed RB Keaton Mitchell on Injured Reserve. https://t.co/a26w49E0M6
This move comes after the Ravens elevated veteran running Melvin Gordon from the practice squad to the 53-man roster in the wake of Mitchell going on injured reserve.
Funk was selected with the No. 233 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. Funk was waived by the Rams in October of 2022, his second season in the NFL, and was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad a day later.
After being released less than a month later by the Saints, Funk was signed to the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts, where he would remain until October of 2023 before being waived again. Funk’s latest stop was the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins for a month before being rereleased in November.
In his four seasons in the NFL, Funk has carried the ball four times for 15 yards while catching one pass for 12 yards. He joins undrafted rookie running back Owen Wright as the two running backs on Baltimore’s practice squad.
However, the victory did not come without cost as Head Coach John Harbaugh announced following the game that undrafted rookie running back Keaton Mitchell is feared to have suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Coach Harbaugh announced that RB Keaton Mitchell suffered a serious knee injury in tonight’s game. pic.twitter.com/wU6eMeO36T
The speedy running back out of East Carolina was in the middle of his second-best game of the season with 73 rushing yards on nine carries before exiting the contest near the start of the fourth quarter. Mitchell went down after awkwardly extending his knee at the end of a 13-yard run.
After the play, Mitchell was carted to the locker room and immediately ruled out for the rest of the game.
Harbaugh also said that veteran running back Melvin Gordon will be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster to serve as the team’s third running back behind Gus Edwards and Justice Hill for the remainder of the season.
Mitchell is now the second significant injury the Ravens have been dealt at the running back position this season after starting running back J.K. Dobbins tore his Achilles in the season opener against the Houston Texans.
Mitchell finishes his promising rookie season with 323 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries, with an average of 8.5 yards per carry.
Tunnel Vision – a look back at Sunday for fantasy free agents, injuries and notable performances.
SUNDAY SALUTES
Quarterbacks
Pass-Rush
TD
Jared Goff
278-0
5
Baker Mayfield
381-(-2)
4
Aiden O’Connell
248-0
4
Brock Purdy
242-0
4
Easton Stick
257-11
3
Running Backs
Yards
TD
Christian McCaffrey
18-115
5-72
3
James Cook
25-179
2-42
2
Kyren Williams
27-152
5-3
1
Jahmyr Gibbs
11-100
2-8
2
Ty Chandler
23-132
3-25
1
Wide Receivers
Yards
TD
Jordan Addison
6-111
2
Jaylen Waddle
8-142
1
Terry McLaurin
6-141
1
Chris Godwin
10-155
0
Cooper Kupp
8-111
1
Tight Ends
Yards
TD
Sam LaPorta
5-56
3
David Njoku
10-104
1
Trey McBride
10-102
0
Hunter Henry
7-66
1
Isaiah Likely
5-70
1
Placekickers
XP
FG
Ka’imi Fairbairn
1
4
Matt Prater
2
3
Matt Gay
3
3
Jason Sanders
3
3
Harrison Butker
3
2
Defense
Sack – TO
TD
Dolphins
6-4
0
Raiders
3-5
1
Bears
4-3
1
Saints
7-0
0
Titans
4-1
1
Bumps, Bruises and Bowouts
QB Will Levis – Leg
QB Zach Wilson – Head
RB Zack Moss – Arm
RB Keaton Mitchell – Knee
RB Jonathan Williams – Concussion
WR Zay Jones – Leg
WR Michael Pittman – Concussion
WR Ja’Marr Chase – Shoulder
WR Jayden Reed – Toe
TE Hunter Henry – Leg
K Randy Bullock – Hamstring
Chasing Ambulances
QB Will Levis – Injured his ankle but said afterward that he is alright and that the injury “could’ve been a lot worse and it was definitely scarier in the moment than it was.” He carries minimal fantasy value anyway, but had kept DeAndre Hopkins relevant.
QB Zach Wilson – Received a concussion in the shutout loss to the Dolphins. He was replaced by Trevor Siemian who would take the start this week against the visiting Commanders, the NFL version of Santa Claus coming down the chimney. Siemian was even worse than Wilson when he came into the loss to the Fins, but he may have some value against the worst defense in the NFL.
RB Zack Moss – Left the win over the Steelers with another arm injury and X-Rays were negative at the stadium. He was ruled out when he couldn’t grip the ball well. He was replaced by a tag team of Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson which could repeat this week if Moss remains out. But, Jonathan Taylor may return this week.
WR Michael Pittman – Left the game in the second quarter when he got a concussion after getting blasted on a tackle. He may end up missing this week, and if so they will cobble together the tight ends and other wideouts to replace his production.
RB Keaton Mitchell – Broke into the open and then crumpled almost untouched in the win over the Jaguars. He is already reported to be gone for the season with a serious knee injury. Gus Edwards and Justice Hill will take over his production, but be much slower about it.
WR Zay Jones – Already missed time with a knee injury this year, and now suffered a hamstring strain in the loss to the Ravens. Jamal Agnew will help cover for him if needed, but the Jaguars are running out of wideouts with Christian Kirk already gone.
WR Ja’Marr Chase – Injured the AC joint in his shoulder and is considered “day to day.’ HC Zac Taylor said his availability for the Steelers game will be determined later in the week.
WR Jayden Reed – Left the loss to the Buccaneers with a toe injury and will have a status update later in the week.
TE Hunter Henry – Injured his knee in the loss to the Chiefs at the start of the fourth quarter and did not return. His status will be updated by Wednesday.
Free Agents, Flops and Other Notables
QB Dart Throw – For some leagues, Week 15 is the playoffs and even the league championship for large contests. And the Top-8 fantasy quarterbacks for when you need them the most – Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, Joe Flacco, Aidan O’Connell, Brock Purdy, Easton Stick, Jake Browning, and Nick Mullens. Basically, all names on your waiver wire in Week 1. Maybe even a week or two ago for most of them. That’s disappointing after the top quarterbacks have been so good all year… until now.
WR Justin Jefferson – He made it all the way through the game without injury. Jefferson led the Vikings with ten targets that became seven catches for 84 yards. That, in turn, helped Jordan Addison (6-111, 2 TD) succeed against lesser coverage. Nick Mullens (303 yards, 2 TD) looks like he’ll stick for now.
RB Bijan Robinson – One of the biggest questions that will come out of 2023 is why did the Falcons have such uneven usage of a supposed generational talent? Robinson faced one of the weakest defenses in the NFL – Carolina – and was limited to only seven rushes for 11 yards while Tyler Allgeier handled 14 rushes for 45 yards. Robinson is already the leading rusher for the Falcons. Seven carries! They already drafted a generational talent in Kyle Pitts and then don’t use him. Now they have Robinson and do not use him. If they use a first-round pick on a quarterback, should we assume up front that he won’t get to play?
QB Joe Flacco – The Browns’ latest quarterback just threw for 374 yards and two scored on the Bears. He passed for 311 yards and three scores in Week 14. He’s only played three games and already has the two highest-producing games for Cleveland.
RB Raheem Mostert – He’s 31 years old and has already topped his career marks in carries, yards and scores. This week versus the Jets, he ran for 42 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. That a Miami team record with 20 touchdowns on the season, with three games left to play. Does he age in reverse? He’s playing out his ninth NFL season with more touchdowns than he’s scored in all other years combined.
RB James Conner – The Cardinals’ primary rusher ran for 105 yards and two scores at the Steelers in Week 13 and then went in his bye. He returned to face the 49ers on Sunday and reeled off 86 yards and a score on 14 rushes, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. And mostly on fantasy benches across the land.
QB Josh Allen – The Bills beat the Cowboys 31-10 in a laugher and Josh Allen spoke about his newfound wisdom after the game, suggesting that it is okay that he didn’t have to take the team on his back and do everything for the offense. He can allow James Cook to score twice with 227 total yards. Allen only passed for 94 yards and a touchdown but did run in one score. And that is not okay, at least not without warning during fantasy playoffs.
TE Isaiah Likely – Mark Andrews was lost after Week 12 and the Ravens No. 2 tight end stepped up these last two weeks with five catches for around 75 yards and a touchdown in each. That was more yardage than Andrews had in all but two games this year.
TE Sam LaPorta – The rookie just caught three touchdowns on his five catches for 56 yards in the win over the Broncos. That gives him an NFL tight end lead with nine touchdowns – no other in the position has scored more than six. Ironically, the Lions old tight end T.J. Hockenson is the No. 1 and Travis Kelce is No. 2. And LaPorta is No. 3 and just ten fantasy points away from being the No. 1 – as a rookie.
Huddle player of the week
Syndication: Democrat and Chronicle
James Cook – He already had improved in the second half of the season and against the previously feared Cowboys defense, Cook turned in a career-best performance with 179 yards and a score on 25 carries, plus caught two passes for 42 yards and a second touchdown. Cook demolished the Cowboys almost single-handedly.
Salute!
Drama 101 – Somebody has to laugh, somebody has to cry
Undrafted rookie running back Keaton Mitchell was forced to exit the Ravens matchup vs. Jaguars with a knee injury
Keaton Mitchell brings an explosive dynamic to the Ravens’ rushing offense that very few teams have, but the undrafted rookie could miss time after an ugly-looking knee injury.
Mitchell was carted off and helped into the locker room after his knee gave out following a 13-yard gain early in the fourth quarter, with Baltimore leading Jacksonville, 17-7.
Check out the top waiver wire targets for Week 15.
Only two more games Monday night stand before the start of the playoffs in the majority of fantasy football leagues, and the waiver wire will be a busy marketplace entering Week 15.
The bye weeks also are finally over, so it will be just good old-fashioned fantasy football. With trade deadlines concluded in the majority of leagues as well, the waiver wire becomes the most vital tool for fantasy managers over the three weeks.
We’re also getting to the point of the season in which stashing FAAB isn’t as crucial. Don’t be afraid to spend a bit more on a player who might give your team an edge down the stretch.
We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo leagues, using the 75% rostered mark as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!
We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.
Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.
Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.
