The Baltimore Ravens clinched a playoff spot Sunday night but lost playmaker Keaton Mitchell for the season.
“It’s a long-term knee thing,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh confirmed Monday. “There wasn’t cartilage damage, things like that, so that helps (recovery time) quite a bit. He’ll go to work. I’m sure he’ll be here every single day with the team doing his part to get back.”
The undrafted rookie running back sustained a left knee injury during the fourth quarter of the 23-7 victory at Jacksonville.
Mitchell’s left leg bent awkwardly after he was tripped up by Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard near the end of the game. He was carted off the field.
Multiple reports indicated Mitchell has a torn ACL.
Harbaugh said it was “shocking” to be able to turn to veteran Melvin Gordon to replace Mitchell.
“His opportunity comes, he’s been there before, he’s a high-pedigree great player,” Harbaugh said.
Mitchell, 21, rushed 47 times for 396 yards (8.4 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in eight games (two starts) this season. He caught nine passes for 93 yards. He ran for 138 yards and a touchdown in a 37-3 win against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9.
The Ravens (11-3), who became the first AFC team to clinch a postseason berth, previously lost starting tight end Mark Andrews (ankle) for the remainder of the regular season and starting running back J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) to a season-ending injury.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson leads the Ravens with 741 rushing yards. Running backs Gus Edwards (663 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Justice Hill (313 yards, three TDs) will shoulder more of the load with Mitchell out.
–Field Level Media
