The Ravens have placed RB Keaton Mitchell on the physically unable to perform list for the start of training camp. It's no surprise, given that Mitchell is working back from a late December ACL tear. HC John Harbaugh said back in May that the team doesn't expect Mitchell back until "sometime during the season."
Harbaugh during that same May media session: "But I will say he's on schedule, maybe ahead of schedule. He's doing really well. He's always got a smile on his face."
It's obviously good that Harbaugh expressed optimism for Mitchell's recovery, but the second-year RB will bear watching throughout the summer. If he doesn't get back onto the field in some fashion, he'll be tough to select in any redraft format.
As it is, Mitchell's a high-risk option in any 2024 format. The 5'8, 179-pounder relies on his speed for explosive plays and isn't likely to get big touch volume even at full health.
Thus, any limitation to that explosiveness figures to limit Mitchell's fantasy-scoring potential even beyond what it might for higher-volume runners.
I'm not even selecting Mitchell in best ball drafts this summer.
Longer-term, Mitchell remains intriguing. Even there, though, his likely low-volume role will make him a tough guy to rely on in weekly lineups.
Mitchell's a hold for dynasty right now, but I wouldn't go buying him. His dynasty managers likely remain excited about the big-play upside they saw last year.
Rasheen Ali is the biggest winner here. The fifth-round pick will get more opportunities early in camp than he would if Mitchell were ready to go.
Veteran Justice Hill should also be in better shape to win a season-opening role. He and Ali figure to compete for the No. 2 job behind Derrick Henry. That role isn't likely to deliver much touch volume as long as Henry's healthy but would present obvious contingent upside should Henry go down.
And there would be a bit of reception upside alongside a healthy Henry.
If the Ravens don't remove Mitchell from the PUP before the regular season, then he'll miss at least the first four games.
If Baltimore does take him off the PUP before the end of camp, then he can't go back on it for the regular season. That would signal he's ready to play early in the year.
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