The Baltimore Ravens continue to stockpile running back options following their string of injuries at the position.
The Ravens are expected to add Latavius Murray to the mix, signing the veteran to the active roster, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday morning. The team later announced the signing.
Josina Anderson first reported the news.
Murray is getting a one-year contract for the veteran minimum which include incentives to get him around $2 million, according to Rapoport.
The 31-year-old Murray spent the last two years in New Orleans and was recently released after he wouldn't take a pay cut. The running back rushed for 656 yards and four touchdowns on 146 carries in 2020 as the primary backup to Alvin Kamara.
Murray still has juice left and can be a pass-catching target. Joining the Ravens following his release makes sense. In Baltimore, he has an opportunity to earn a lot of playing time in a run-heavy system.
The signing continues the Ravens' "throw-everything-we-can-find-at-the-wall-until-something-sticks" approach to filling the running back hole caused by a series of injuries.
J.K. Dobbins (ACL), Gus Edwards (ACL) and Justice Hill (Achilles) all went down with injuries before the start of the season. That was basically the Ravens' depth chart at the position. Undrafted second-year back Ty'Son Williams -- who the club is high on -- could see a major role unless one of the veterans added recently proves a better option.
"It was very depressing," tackle Ronnie Stanley told reporters Friday about the losses of Edwards and Peters. "The energy was definitely down and deservedly so. We lost two of our brothers and to see them in pain -- no one wanted to see that happen. We've come back today and I think we have a newfound energy and we're gonna go on the field and be even better for the guys that we lost."
In addition to Murray, the Ravens have recently added fourth-year back Trenton Cannon to the active roster and signed veterans Le'Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman to the practice squad.
"He's been in training camp, he's in shape," coach John Harbaugh said of Murray on Friday. "Le'Veon, he's been in great shape but he needs to get in football shape a little bit -- get his sea legs a little football wise -- but he looked good yesterday in practice. Freeman was in camp, so he's in shape.
"Football shape does mean something and now we got to get them up to speed with the playbook. So, what can they take into the game Monday night? That's what we have to figure out the next two practices over the next couple days is what different guys can handle in the game and just make a specific game plan for what they're ready for and merge into our plan."
Now commences the battle to see who will win snaps alongside Lamar Jackson. It'll be as interesting a post-training camp battle we've seen in recent memory.
