The preseason is for comeback stories.
Thursday’s Indianapolis Colts-Baltimore Ravens game provided us with a feel-good comeback with running back Keaton Mitchell.
The Ravens running back burst onto the scene midway through the 2023 season, showing off blazing speed and the ability to gash opponents with big plays. During a six-game stretch, Mitchell averaged 8.4 yards per carry, galloping for 396 yards and two touchdowns on 47 carries. Then a devastating knee injury wiped out the rest of the season and most of 2024.
Mitchell returned late last season but didn’t look like the same player as in his impressive but short rookie campaign. He carried the ball 15 times for 30 yards in the final two games of the season.
He’s fully back now.
On Thursday night, Mitchell showed the burst reminiscent of his rookie year. He pinballed off tacklers and sped past defenders for 68 yards on nine carries, including a 22-yard touchdown.
After Baltimore's 24-16 win, coach John Harbaugh glowed about Mitchell’s ability to bounce back from that devastating injury.
"Keaton's one of those guys that's obviously got that ability to take it to the house at any time,” Harbaugh said. “You can bounce it to the edge. You can cut it back. He's good in the pass game, and then also establishing the fact that you'll run the ball between the tackles. I think he's doing that, too. And that's really important. You don't want to be the guy that they say, ‘Oh, he is an outside run game guy,’ right? You want to make him pay between the tackles, too. That's something, too, that I know he is very focused on.”
Mitchell looked unhindered by the knee injury.
“I feel good just coming back from strength and conditioning, OTAs, [and] camp. [I] feel a lot better [and] a lot more confident,” he said. “So just being more confident in myself and trusting my knee -- that it’s stronger, and it can do what I need it to do.”
Mitchell admitted rehab was grueling, but he always had faith he’d make it through. Thursday night provided proof.
“It took a lot,” he said. “[I was] just trusting the rehab, trusting the people that's putting you through the rehab, talking to God, [making] sure you're following the right steps, and you have to be disciplined with everything you do. And most importantly, just trusting yourself."
Mitchell won’t threaten Derrick Henry’s workload, and Justice Hill remains in position for the change-of-pace, pass-catching role. However, Mitchell fully returning to form will give the Ravens some insurance. He can also provide pop on those few reps a game that King Henry needs a rest.