NFL Player News

Once Murray gets up to speed with Baltimore's offense, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com believes that the running back has the potential to eventually emerge as the team's top option at the position.

In the short term, Ty'Son Williams is expected to shoulder a key role in Monday's season opener against the Raiders, but Hensley believes that Murray's physical running style profiles as an ideal fit for the Ravens' system. The team's backfield is in quick transition mode following season-ending injuries to J.K. Dobbins (knee), Gus Edwards (knee) and Justice Hill (Achilles), but reinforcements are on the way, with Le'Veon Bell and/or Devonta Freeman candidates to be promoted to the team's active roster, while Trenton Cannon is on hand in reserve. Though it remains to be seen how quickly and how heavily Murray -- whose signing was confirmed Friday -- is introduced into the mix, he nonetheless is a worthy fantasy roster add to see how this situation plays out.

Williams is expected to draw the start at running back for the Ravens in their opener against the Raiders on Monday, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com.

As Hensley points out, Williams is the only healthy running back who was on Baltimore's roster before Wednesday, but in the wake of season-ending injuries to J.K. Dobbins (knee), Gus Edwards (knee) and Justice Hill (Achilles), Williams' profile in the team's offense has expanded as Week 1 approaches. With news that Latavius Murray is slated to join the ranks, Trenton Cannon in reserve and the potential that Le'Veon Bell and/or Devonta Freeman could be promoted from the Ravens' practice squad, this is a fluid backfield situation. By necessity, it appears that Williams is headed for a key role Monday night, with a committee/hot hand approach a plausible outcome in subsequent weeks.

The Ravens have reached an agreement with Murray on a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

In the wake of a succession of season-ending backfield injuries, the Ravens understandably are adding running back depth in advance of Week 1. Once Murray's deal becomes official and corresponding roster moves are made, he'll be in line to join Ty'Son Williams and Trenton Cannon on the team's active roster, with Le'Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman profiling as candidates to be elevated from Baltimore's practice squad. Given the timing of the team's looming moves, it remains uncertain how the carries will be distributed Monday night against the Raiders, but for now it looks like Williams is headed for a key role in the contest, with a committee/hot hand approach likely to emerge by necessity in the coming weeks.

Elliott rushed 11 times for 33 yards and brought in both targets for six yards in the Cowboys' 31-29 loss to the Buccaneers on Thursday night.

The modest rushing volume and production both carry a fairly sizable asterisk, considering the caliber of defensive front the Cowboys were facing and the fact that game flow ended up tilting heavily toward the air attack despite the score being relatively close, at minimum, throughout. Elliott did look like a more motivated and explosive version of himself than he seemingly did at times down the stretch in 2020, and both Cowboys fans and fantasy managers will hope for a much more robust role in a Week 2 road matchup against the Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 19.

The Ravens are closing in on a deal with Murray, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

This looked like a fit after Murray was cut by the Saints on Tuesday, and Gus Edwards' season-ending torn ACL has expedited the process between the two sides. The 31-year-old produced 1,295 rushing yards (4.4 YPC) and nine rushing touchdowns while adding 57 receptions for 411 yards and two receiving scores over the last two seasons with the Saints. Once the deal is official, he's in line to join Ty'Son Williams and Trenton Cannon on Baltimore's active roster, while Le'Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman are candidates to be elevated from the team's practice squad. In such a scenario, Murray has a chance to claim a key backfield role once he's up to speed with the offense, though out of necessity, a committee/hot hand approach could well be used early on this season.

Edwards sustained a confirmed torn ACL during Thursday's practice, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Edwards joins J.K. Dobbins as Ravens running backs to suffer such an injury, and Justice Hill also is out for the season with an Achilles tear, leaving the team painfully thin at running back. Ty'Son Williams is expected to step in as Baltimore's lead running back to kick off the campaign, with Trenton Cannon also on the 53-man roster and Le'Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman on the practice squad.

Ekeler (hamstring) was officially listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Back-to-back DNPs set the stage for Friday's practice to be pivotal with regard to Ekeler's chances of suiting up for Sunday's game against Washington. If the Chargers' top back is limited or out this weekend, added opportunities would be available for some combo of Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree.

Hill (Achilles), who had been waived/injured by the Ravens, reverted to IR on Thursday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Hill joins fellow running back J.K. Dobbins (torn ACL) on IR, and Gus Edwards could follow them soon after suffering what appears to be a serious knee injury during Thursday's practice. In the wake of all their backfield woes, the Ravens' top healthy RB is Ty'Son Williams, though veteran newcomers Le'Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman profile as likely promotions from the team's practice squad.

Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Cowboys.

Vaughn may be poised for another sparse campaign of appearances and touches after seeing time in 11 games and receiving 36 touches (including playoffs) as a rookie third-rounder last season. With Vaughn on the sideline, Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones and Giovani Bernard will be the Bucs' trio of running backs Week 1.

Though Ekeler (hamstring) suited up for practice Thursday, he didn't participate in individual drills during the media-access portion of the session, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Ekeler was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, so his presence on the field Thursday appears to support the notion that his hamstring issue isn't a major concern. That said, added context -- specifically, the running back's official participation level -- regarding his Week 1 status will arrive once the Chargers' second injury report of the week is submitted.