Don't sleep on Mark Ingram amid Ravens' crowded backfield
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Veteran running back Mark Ingram has sort of been a forgotten man at Ravens training camp.
He's been a bit overshadowed by rookie sensation J.K. Dobbins, who has made several highlight-reel plays over the past two weeks.
But let's be clear: Ingram is the starter amid a crowded backfield and he does not look like he'll be relinquishing that role in the near-term.
“Mark definitely is the leader of the group, and he helps set a lot of that stuff up," running backs coach Matt Weiss said. "You’d have to ask them for more details. I definitely respect the question too, in terms of the age and all that, but truly, I think Mark is ascending."
Ingram signed with Baltimore as an unrestricted free agent in March 2019 after eight seasons in New Orleans.
He made an immediate impact, running for 1,018 yards with 10 touchdowns. He also caught 26 passes for 247 yards with another five scores, earning his third trip to the Pro Bowl.
Overall, the Ravens set the NFL single-season rushing record last season with 3,296 yards on a league-high 596 carries.
Ingram, 30, suffered an ankle injury late in the season against Cleveland and he was apparently hampered in the playoff loss to the Titans when he managed just six carries for 22 yards.
In addition to Ingram and Dobbins, the Ravens Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill on the roster from last season.
Still, Ingram is the leader of the group and does not appear to be slowing down.
"We know speed deteriorates the fastest," Weiss said. "When I look at Mark’s skillset and why he’s good; he’s super athletic, he’s powerful, he has great vision, great contact balance, [and] none of those things deteriorate quickly with age. In fact, many of them get better with age. And so that’s what I see from Mark.
