'It's Heartbreaking!' Baltimore Ravens Coach John Harbaugh Updates Keaton Mitchell's Knee Injury
Just underway in the fourth quarter of an eventual 23-7 Ravens win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore running back Keaton Mitchell rattled off a 13-yard scamper down the left sideline and went down awkwardly without contact from a defender.
There was no television replay since the injury was considered "gruesome," and Mitchell had to be carried off the field by medical personnel and then carted to the locker room.
Keaton Mitchell
USA Today
Ravens coach John Harbaugh updated the media after the game that Mitchell suffered a "significant" knee injury and will miss the rest of the season and playoffs.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Harbaugh said. “He’s just got a great attitude and demeanor about him. He’s a guy you want to see do well. He deserves to do well. And just feel for his parents right now — they’re watching and I’m sure they’re feeling it, too.”
Areport from NFL.com's Ian Rapoport confirmed that standout rookie running back Keaton Mitchell suffered a torn ACL on Sunday.
"Keaton Mitchell, one of their bright young stars with breakout ability, has suffered an ACL tear, sources said after the MRI," Rapoport writes. "His season is over but he should make a full recovery."
Michell is a Ravens legacy, with his father, Anthony, playing for Baltimore from 1999-2002, and winning a Super Bowl with the organization.
Mitchell was undrafted out of East Carolina and will end the season with 47 carries for 396 yards and two touchdowns, with a whopping average of 8.4 yards per carry.
The Ravens will move to their contingency plan in Melvin Gordon, who will be elevated to the 53-man roster, as well as relying on Justice Hill and Gus Edwards for carries.
Harbaugh said of Gordon, “He’s been working super hard. He’s in great shape and he’ll be ready to go.”
The Ravens will prepare with Gordon for the San Francisco 49ers on "Monday Night Football" in Week 16 on Christmas Day.
