Ravens' explosive playmaker could finally get his shot in Week 3

As the Baltimore Ravens head into their Week 3 matchup with the Detroit Lions, they may be without running back and special teams extraordinaire Rasheen Ali. Ali is in concussion protocol after he made a big-time tackle on the opening kickoff of the team’s Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns.

With the game on Monday night, Ali could clear concussion protocol in time for the game, but with each passing day, it is looking more and more likely that third-year pro Keaton Mitchell will make his NFL debut in Week 3.

Mitchell has been a healthy scratch for Baltimore’s first two matchups of the 2025 campaign. Although everyone knows he is an electrifying playmaker, with so much talent on the roster, it is difficult to fit him to find a spot on the active roster on game days. He could prove worthy of one of those spots against the Lions.

Ravens' explosive playmaker could finally get his shot in Week 3

Much of the reason Mitchell fell behind Ali is due to his special teams skill set. While Ali has proven to be strong on kick returns and in kick and punt coverage, Mitchell has yet to impress coaches enough in that department. His speed is undoubtedly explosive and makes him a dynamite threat anytime he touches the football, but he must show he can provide more than “designer plays,” as Head Coach John Harbaugh put it.

Mitchell also falls short in pass protection. In 2023, he posted a 35.9 pass blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus. He has shown to be a decent receiving back when healthy, but backup running back Justice Hill has that role secured, while also being the team’s best pass blocking back.

Should Mitchell see opportunities on Monday Night Football, he is sure to make the most of them. Yes, he had an abysmal 2024 season, but he was a shell of his former self, as he was still clearly recovering from the horrific knee injury he suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023. Now, with another year of recovery, we should see something closer to that of his otherworldly 2023 run.

His rookie season was held to just eight games, but he was a spark in the backfield. On 47 rushing attempts, he went for 396 yards and two touchdowns, gashing defenses for numerous splash plays in the process. He also added 93 yards through the air on nine receptions.

Unfortunately, with lead bell cow Derrick Henry and third-down back Hill, Mitchell’s touches would come few and far between if he does see the field against Detroit. However, if he changes the pace of the game in those chances, he could start to carve out a role as the regular season progresses.

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