The NFL regular season is 48 hours away, which means football fans and fantasy managers are paying extra close attention to various injuries around the league. What’s the latest on Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell’s injury?
The Latest on Keaton Mitchell’s Health
Mitchell tore his ACL in Week 15 of last season, so he’s been on the PUP list all offseason, and he will remain there as the regular season begins. That means he will miss the first four games of the regular season (at least).
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While Mitchell can theoretically be activated in Week 5, the timing of his injury makes that unlikely. The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec recently reported that Mitchell is not expected back until the second half of the season.
Incoming star running back Derrick Henry will handle the bulk of the Ravens’ carries in 2024. He’s led the NFL in attempts in four of the past five years, which might not leave much work for fellow Ravens RBs Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali, or Keaton once he returns.
Keaton Mitchell’s Fantasy Outlook
Prior to tearing his ACL last season, Mitchell turned heads with explosive play after explosive play. In his first real game, he rushed for 138 yards on just nine carries.
While he only had 47 carries as a rookie, he averaged a ridiculous 8.4 yards per carry. He was also effective as a receiving back, catching at least one pass in every game he played.
Once healthy, he should be a quality fantasy asset — although it remains to be seen how much value he has in redraft leagues given Henry’s role and how long he’ll be sidelined to start the year.
With that said, Mitchell is an excellent stash in dynasty leagues.