Still trying to calibrate their running game beyond the brilliance of quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens will give an old AFC North rival a shot in the Week 4 meeting with Denver.
Prior to Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline, Baltimore elevated former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell from the practice squad, meaning the three-time Pro Bowl selection was set to make his season debut against the Broncos on Sunday. The Ravens signed Bell to their practice squad on Sept. 7, but the 29-year-old hadn’t been with a team since concluding the 2020 season with Kansas City and needed to get into “football shape” in the words of head coach John Harbaugh.
“He’s really had some time now to really kind of get in shape. I think he has a really good enthusiasm,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said this past week. “He’s a smart guy, and it’ll be interesting to see how he can help us. So far, I’ve been very impressed with him. You can see why he’s been so successful, and hopefully, he can add something to us at some point this year. But nothing but positives.”
How much Bell can help remains to be seen as the Ravens continue to evaluate their backfield despite ranking first in the NFL at 185.3 rushing yards per game. Though the dynamic Jackson leads the league in yards per carry and ranks fourth in rushing, it’s been more of a mixed bag from the collection of running backs forced to replace the injured duo of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards just days before the start of the regular season.
Second-year running back and 2020 practice-squad member Ty’Son Williams is averaging an impressive 6.1 yards per carry and has started each of the first three games, but you get the impression that he hasn’t earned the trust of a coaching staff that believes he’s left some opportunities on the field. Meanwhile, veteran Latavius Murray has averaged just 3.5 yards per rushing attempt in the No. 2 role. Former two-time Pro Bowl selection Devonta Freeman has rushed for 37 yards on five carries, but all but six of those yards came on a single run.
Now we’ll see what Bell can do to try to rejuvenate a career that’s been in rapid decline since 2017, his last Pro Bowl campaign for Pittsburgh. After sitting out 2018 due to a contract dispute with the Steelers, Bell signed a four-year, $52.5 million deal with the New York Jets and averaged just 3.2 yards per carry in 15 games in 2019. Last season wasn’t any better as he injured his hamstring in Week 1 and was released by the Jets in October before catching on with the Chiefs. Despite Kansas City having a need at running back, Bell didn’t make much of an impact, rushing for 254 yards and two touchdowns on 4.0 yards per carry and catching just 13 passes for 99 yards in nine games.
In addition to elevating Bell, the Ravens brought up cornerback Kevon Seymour and offensive tackle Andre Smith from the practice squad for Sunday’s game in Denver. Bell and Seymour were standard elevations while Smith was a replacement for outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson, who remains on the reserve-COVID-19 list.
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The Ravens also placed defensive lineman Derek Wolfe on injured reserve as he remains sidelined with a back injury. Wolfe hasn’t practiced since Aug. 23 and missed out on the opportunity to face the Broncos, the team for which he won a Super Bowl and played from 2012-19. Harbaugh didn’t have a time frame for his return when asked about Wolfe this past week, but now it’s appearing more likely that we won’t see the veteran defensive end until after the Week 8 bye. Wolfe must now sit out a minimum of three games on IR.
“I think he’s progressing well. It’s some back things that he’s had; that’s basically what it is,” Harbaugh said on Sept. 24. “It’s just one of those things time is hard to determine.”
As expected, Baltimore didn’t activate wide receivers Rashod Bateman (groin) and Miles Boykin (hamstring) from injured reserve for Sunday’s game. The two began practicing only this week after sustaining their respective injuries in early August.
