Keaton Mitchell has been one of the NFL‘s most dynamic rookies this season, but the Baltimore Ravens running back may have suffered a severe injury on Sunday Night Football. Here’s the latest on Mitchell, who went down in the fourth quarter of the Ravens’ Week 15 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Keaton Mitchell Injury Update
Mitchell went down after posting a 13-yard run early in the fourth quarter. He stayed down on the field and had to wait for medical assistance before heading for the sideline. Mitchell could not put any weight on his right knee as he departed the field.
Mitchell, a rookie undrafted free agent who’s added a unique element to Baltimore’s already-productive rushing attack, initially entered the blue medical tent on the Ravens’ sideline.
However, he quickly exited the tent and was carted to Baltimore’s locker room.
This did not look good for #Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell. pic.twitter.com/v4mtWTuR91
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 18, 2023
The Ravens almost immediately ruled Mitchell out for the remainder of Monday night’s game. Unsurprisingly, Baltimore announced he is dealing with a knee injury.
After the game, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters Mitchell has a serious knee injury and will likely miss the rest of the 2023 campaign.
Mitchell had only handled 38 rushing attempts this season heading into Week 15, but he’s made the most of his workload.
Among NFL running backs with at least 35 carries in 2023, Mitchell ranks first in success rate (65.8%), first in yards after contact per attempt (6.16), and second in yards per attempt (8.5), trailing only the Miami Dolphins’ De’Von Achane (9.2).
Mitchell, 21, wasn’t selected in the 2023 NFL draft despite totaling nearly 3,000 yards from scrimmage during his final two seasons at East Carolina.
His performance during training camp and the preseason earned him a spot on the Ravens’ 53-man roster, but Mitchell spent the first five weeks of the year on injured reserve while dealing with a shoulder issue.
MORE: Baltimore Ravens Depth Chart
Assuming Mitchell misses time, Baltimore will lean on Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, who’ve combined to post more than 200 carries this season.
Harbaugh said the Ravens will also promote veteran running back Melvin Gordon III from their practice squad. Gordon appeared for Baltimore in Weeks 3 and 4, totaling 16 touches on 40 offensive snaps.
Fantasy Fallout From Mitchell’s Injury
Edwards’ role has dipped since the beginning of November, coinciding with Mitchell’s emergence, but this injury opens up a role to put him back on the low-end RB2/Flex radar.
Edwards’ lack of versatility is an issue when evaluating his upside. Still, we know he can score (11 touchdowns this season) and has the ability to pile up chunk plays when given the opportunity.
In addition to Edwards gaining value, Mitchell’s injury puts more focus on Baltimore’s passing attack, making Lamar Jackson and Isaiah Likely pretty clear options that you can count on weekly — even next Monday night in San Francisco.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe
