The Baltimore Ravens continue to have just brutal luck when it comes to running backs, with starter Gus Edwards following J.K. Dobbins and Justice Hill with his own season-ending leg injury Thursday. Those rostering relative unknown Ty'Son Williams in fantasy football must be excited, but there are a few other names to consider -- players who once made fantasy managers quite pleased -- and they could matter as soon as Monday night in Las Vegas.
First, let us start with Le'Veon Bell, who hardly distinguished himself playing for the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs a season ago but might be in line for significant touches with the Ravens. Bell just signed with the Baltimore practice squad mere days ago, and the most recent season he really carried fantasy managers was 2017 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but still, this is quite the potential opportunity. Those in ESPN Fantasy leagues have made Bell the most-added running back this week for good reason.
Meanwhile, in the team's first transaction Thursday after the devastating news about Edwards, former longtime Atlanta Falcons star Devonta Freeman -- who played briefly last season for the New York Giants -- joined the Ravens' practice squad. It is possible that Freeman, who also worked out for the Ravens this week, is in a better place for immediate NFL action than Bell and gets an active roster spot for Monday night. Got all that? It is a mystery.
Then again, Williams, an undrafted free agent from BYU a season ago and still sans a regular-season carry, is in the best place for immediate playing time in Week 1. At 6-foot, 220 pounds, Williams is not quite the same size as the bulldozing Edwards, but he might be used in a similar fashion, which means little action in the passing game. Williams caught 29 passes over four college seasons. It seems likely that Freeman and Bell -- or Bell and Freeman -- will see much of their action catching passes. Williams is also among the most-added running backs in ESPN leagues -- and the one to add first, despite his lack of NFL experience.
Baltimore's leading rusher each of the past two season was, of course, not a running back at all, but awesome quarterback Lamar Jackson, and little should change this fall. Jackson also has seven rushing touchdowns each of the past two seasons. Williams might be successful and he should be rostered in all leagues for now, but let us not assume he is more than a flex option for Week 1. Trenton Cannon, a three-year NFL veteran who also signed this week, should be active for Monday, and perhaps Bell/Freeman will be as well. Things are crowded.
For those thinking that Baltimore is not the place to add a fantasy-relevant running back, there are other options to consider. The New Orleans Saints recently cut veteran Latavius Murray -- perhaps he ends up with the Ravens as well -- and it shows confidence in Tony Jones Jr., an undrafted, second-year option from Notre Dame. He should back up Alvin Kamara. Other readily available backups to consider, in case opportunity comes their way, include the Minnesota Vikings' Alexander Mattison, the Dallas Cowboys' Tony Pollard and the Atlanta Falcons' Wayne Gallman.
In addition, those in PPR formats should consider running backs likely to do their best work in the passing game, with New England Patriots veteran James White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers newcomer Giovani Bernard and Indianapolis Colts backup Nyheim Hines leading the way. Remember, in PPR leagues, it is not all about rushing yards and touchdowns. Hines and Washington's J.D. McKissic finished among the top 20 running backs in PPR scoring a season ago.