So why isn’t Keaton Mitchell playing for Ravens?

by | Sep 29, 2025

ECU football alum Keaton Mitchell was a healthy scratch for the third straight game on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What gives?

He had a pretty good preseason and seemed primed for a chance to return to his form, when he averaged 8.4 yards a carry as a rookie before an ACL injury in 2003.

He had nine carries for 68 yards and a touchdown against the Colts in the first preseason game. However, he didn’t see action in preseason wins over the Cowboys and Commanders due to a hamstring injury.

What gives?

He was listed as out in a loss to the Bills in Week 1 due to the injury. However, he was a healthy scratch in a win over the Browns and a loss to the Lions.

What gives?

When Rasheen Ali left the Browns’ game with an injury, Mitchell wasn’t suited up to take his place. Instead, the Ravens relied on Derrick Henry and Justice Hill.

What gives?

In last week’s loss to the Lions, Henry fumbled twice in crucial situations that led to a loss. Ali was back playing but Mitchell wasn’t an option. Again, he was a healthy scratch.

So what gives?

The Sporting News’ Billy Heyen had the same question about Mitchell, who is listed by the Ravens as fourth on the depth chart at running back. It appears Mitchell is just a victim of the numbers and the fact the Ravens have nowhere to put him.

“We just don’t have the spot right now,” Harbaugh said. “I guess in some ways, that’s a good problem to have, but I would much rather see him out there and see him active on gameday.”

Heyen also reports that earlier in the season, Harbaugh said Mitchell is essentially good right now for “designer plays,” but not the full flow of an offense.

“This isn’t a great situation for Mitchell. And without an injury, it’s hard to see how anything will change,” Heyen wrote at SportingNews.com.

The Ravens lost to the Chiefs, 37-20, to fall to 1-3. For a team that had aspirations of the Super Bowl, things don’t look so good right now. Maybe re-thinking how and where to use Mitchell might help their chances?

What gives.

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