The Ravens' running game is going to get even better, as running back Keaton Mitchell returned to practice Wednesday, opening his 21-day practice window.
Mitchell took the practice field with a brace on his left knee and did light warmups at the start of the walk-through, including high steps and accelerating into a jog. The speedster will now begin ramping back up into football shape.
Head Coach John Harbaugh said he doesn't expect Mitchell to play this week in Cleveland, but the aim is to get him back within the three-week window.
Mitchell would need to be moved to the 53-man roster by Nov. 13 in order to play this season. That would put him back ready for action before the Ravens' Week 11 game in Pittsburgh – about 11 months after his injury.
Mitchell has been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of the season after he suffered a major knee injury on Dec. 17 last year.
Mitchell was a dynamo as an undrafted rookie in 2023, burning teams with his elite speed. He averaged a whopping 8.4 yards per carry (396 yards) and scored two touchdowns. He led the team with seven runs of 20+ yards despite playing in just eight games.
Derrick Henry already leads the NFL in rushing and has been a major home run hitter. Justice Hill is having a superb season as the Ravens' No. 2 back, including a career-high 215 receiving yards and two touchdowns already. Mitchell would add yet another threat to a rushing attack that leads the league with 210.9 rushing yards per game.
Lamar Jackson said he's "loving it" that Mitchell is back, but encouraged him to take his time.
"Just keep getting better. I want you to be 1,000% when you go out there," Jackson said. "We're doing pretty good right now without him, but we can't wait to have him back."
Even though he wasn't a Raven last year, Henry is well aware of what Mitchell brings to the table as another home run hitter.
"Keaton's a speed demon. I know we all saw that last year," Henry said. "His efficiency was out the roof, so that just adds another dynamic to this offense. I'm a vet guy, so I'm going to try to help him as much as I can, give him as much game as I can while we're teammates. He's fought hard to get back to be able to play this season. I'm happy for him and can't wait to see him on the field."
The Ravens also opened the practice window of cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis on Wednesday. Armour-Davis suffered a hamstring injury in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys and was placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 4.
