Ravens' Edwards, Peters Have Injured Knees; Freeman Added
BALTIMORE (AP/WJZ) — The Baltimore Ravens listed running back Gus Edwards and cornerback Marcus Peters as limited in practice Thursday after ESPN reported the team feared each player has a torn ACL.
ESPN cited an unidentified source in each report. Losing Edwards would be another major blow to Baltimore's backfield after the Ravens lost running back J.K. Dobbins to a season-ending knee injury in their final preseason game. Running back Justice Hill went on injured reserve this week.
The team's next media availability is Friday, but Edwards and Peters were on the injury report with knee injuries. Veteran running back Devonta Freeman is joining Baltimore's practice squad, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus.
Baltimore opens its season Monday night at Las Vegas.
Loss of JK Dobbins, Gus Edwards (today) & Justice Hill are brutal. BUT- the Ravens still have their #1 rusher Lamar Jackson & it's his ability to run that opens the field for the RB's. Others can/will fill in at RB. No, not ideal but not insurmountable IMO ????@WJZ #Depth
— Mark Viviano (@MarkWJZ) September 9, 2021
The Ravens led the NFL in rushing last season, when Dobbins and Edwards combined for 1,528 yards on the ground. Baltimore signed running back Le'Veon Bell to the practice squad this week and signed Trenton Cannon to the active roster.
It's possible that Baltimore's top running back for Monday's game could be Ty'Son Williams, who was on the practice squad last year and has never had a carry in a regular-season game.
Peters started 14 games in 2020, his first full season with the Ravens. He had four interceptions, bringing his career total to 31.
Coach John Harbaugh did talk to reporters earlier Thursday and discussed the decision to bring Bell aboard.
"Obviously, we played against him so many times and in so many highly competitive (and) emotional games," Harbaugh said. "It was fun to have him in for the workout. He had a good workout. Practiced yesterday — he did a good job. So yes, we'll have a process with him. He's excited. He's learning, and we'll see where it goes."
Ravens had 6 different leading RB's the last 6 seasons: Dobbins, Ingram, Gus Edwards, A Collins, Terrence West & Forsett. 2021 will feature their 7th straight w a different lead RB. But the lead rusher will be the same for 3rd straight yr: Lamar Jackson. They'll survive IMO @wjz
— Mark Viviano (@MarkWJZ) September 9, 2021
Freeman played five games last season for Buffalo after six seasons with Atlanta. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2015 and 2016.
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