As the Baltimore Ravens get healthy at the running back position, it feels like Terrance West is the odd man out.
Heading into a Monday Night Football matchup against the Houston Texans it finally feels like the Baltimore Ravens are healthy. They have six players listed as questionable but all are expected to play. With just one player ruled out tomorrow, the coaching staff will have some decisions to make. The Ravens will have six healthy scratches tomorrow and expect one to be at running back. Terrance West may finally be healthy but he’s fallen out of favor in the backfield this season.
West had a strong 80-yard performance in Week 1 but that’s been about it this season. Since then, he’s rushed for just 58 yards and was sidelined with a calf injury for five straight games. After coming back from the bye week West was a healthy scratch against the Packers. With unrestricted free agency impending, it feels all about over for West’s career in Baltimore.
Since joining the Ravens at the end of the 2015 season, West has rushed for just over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. The Baltimore native has been a decent placeholder for the backfield but he’s not the explosive running back the Ravens are looking for. Second-year back Alex Collins has come in and completely taken over that role. Collins looks more explosive and despite his lack of touchdowns, still is the best running back the Ravens have and it’s not even close.
This isn’t a shocker
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, we knew this was eventually going to happen. With Danny Woodhead’s return from Injured Reserve, there is no way the Ravens can dress four running backs every week. One back has to be the odd man out and with Buck Allen’s receiving ability, he has the advantage over West in that department.
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Looking into next season, Kenneth Dixon will be healthy and primed for a bigger role. Dixon provided some of that burst last season but he’s a major red flag with recent injuries and suspensions. You can’t even count out the possibility of Ozzie Newsome drafting a running back in the higher rounds. With the way the offense has played this season, the Ravens can use all the help they can get.
West just isn’t the home run hitting back the Ravens need in the backfield. He’s an average running back and that’s shown with his numbers through four seasons. With how well the defense has played this season, the offense just needs to be above average. With West, I’m just not sure he makes the offense much better. The Ravens have better weapons to work with.
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The bottom line
I’d be shocked to see West active tomorrow night. The Ravens should go with the same backfield of Collins, Allen, and Woodhead like last week. It’s unfortunate for a player like West who still has talent but he’s a circle block trying to fit a square peg in the backfield right now. West will likely hit the free agent market this upcoming offseason looking for a new team to join.