The Baltimore Ravens are dealing with a curse of sorts at the running back position.
J.K. Dobbins, Justice Hill, and Gus Edwards have all gone down with season-ending injuries and the team doesn’t even begin the regular season until Monday.
That left the position group rather barren, with slim hopes of Le’Veon Bell returning to his former glory as something to pray for.
But the Ravens are being proactive and made yet another move Friday to bolster the position by signing Latavius Murray.
The #Ravens are giving RB Latavius Murray a spot on the 53-man roster with a 1-year contract for the veteran minimum that includes solid incentives to get him to around $2M. He was due to make $2.95M in New Orleans. https://t.co/L0wCgQfD73
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 10, 2021
Murray landing in Baltimore is quite a great consolation after being abruptly released by the New Orleans Saints for refusing a pay cut.
Adding A Proven Veteran
Murray seemed to be a key piece in the New Orleans offense for 2021 before the team decided to cut him right before his salary guaranteed for the season.
We have signed RB @LataviusM. pic.twitter.com/4dXEmth1R2
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2021
It was a dirty move, to say the least, but he now ends up on arguably a better team with a more exciting rushing attack.
The veteran finished with 656 yards and four touchdowns on the ground last year with the Saints and added 176 yards and a touchdown as a receiver.
He is a proven player who went over 600 yards in both of his seasons with the Saints behind Alvin Kamara.
Murray being cut by the Saints end up being a huge saving grace for the Ravens.
The depth chart now has rookie Ty’Son Williams at the top, with Murray right behind him.
Bell and Devonta Freeman are two other intriguing options, but the addition of Murray may mean one doesn’t stick on the active roster.
They can always remain on the practice squad as the Ravens will now be focused on depth following all these shocking injuries.
Just Trying To Stay Healthy
There is really nothing the Ravens can do at this point to avoid this bad luck.
Some would argue playing Dobbins in the preseason was a bad idea, however, his injury was part of the game.
Other injuries occurring in practice are just more proof of bad luck, and that includes what happened to Marcus Peters.
Injuries are going to happen for any NFL team and the Ravens have been unlucky enough to have one position group be targeted.
Depth will be the key, even if the reserve options are former elite players in Bell and Freeman.
And if they struggle, there is a whole crop of young, undrafted players ready for an opportunity.
The Ravens and their fans just have to take it a day at a time and remember they still have Lamar Jackson running the show on offense.
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