The Ravens key No. 2 running back, Justice Hill, is back in action for the start of the playoffs after missing the final two regular-season games due to a concussion and illness.
The last time Hill played was in the Ravens' regular-season win against the Pittsburgh Steelers also at M&T Bank Stadium.
Now the stakes are higher in the wild-card playoffs, and Hill will be a crucial part of the offense, especially with wide receiver Zay Flowers out.
"Just make plays and do what you always do," Hill said. "Don't make the moment bigger than what it really is, so I think that's the thing for all of us, especially now that we've been to playoff games, and we've seen both sides of it."
The Ravens opted to suit up Keaton Mitchell as the No. 3 running back instead of rookie Rasheen Ali. Mitchell provides value as a special teams returner and potential big-play merchant in the offense.
The Ravens' inactives are as follows:
- WR Zay Flowers
- FS Beau Brade
- RB Rasheen Ali
- FS Marcus Williams
- OLB Adisa Isaac
- C Nick Samac
- WR Keith Kirkwood
Brade had played in every game since Week 8 in Cleveland, but he's inactive to start the playoffs. The rookie had played on special teams, with just 11 defensive snaps.
With Flowers sidelined by a knee injury suffered in the regular-season finale, the Ravens elevated wide receivers Anthony Miller and Keith Kirkwood from the practice squad, but only Miller will suit up to play. He previously played at Houston and versus Pittsburgh.
Wide returner/returner Deonte Harty (knee) was not activated to the 53-man roster off injured reserve.
A Pro Bowler in his second season, Flowers leads the Ravens in receptions (74) and receiving yards (1,059) this season. The Ravens are confident they have enough weapons to make up for the loss.
"It's going to be an opportunity. We'll move guys around," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "We have a lot of weapons, and Lamar [Jackson] will distribute that thing the way he sees fit, play to play."
The Steelers are healthier in this game than they were in the last, when they were missing several defensive starters, including safety DeShon Elliott, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, and cornerback Donte Jackson. Top cornerback Joey Porter Jr. left that game early and star pass rusher T.J. Watt was dealing with an ankle injury.
Starting Steelers right guard Mason McCormick won't play with a broken hand. In his place could be rookie Spencer Anderson, a University of Maryland alumni.
