OWINGS MILLS (Md. A source revealed to ESPN that the Baltimore Ravens have reached a one year agreement with Latavius Murray, running back for the Ravens. This was as they scrambled to fix up their injury-ravaged backfield ahead of the regular season.
Schefter was told by a source that the deal could be worth as much as $2 million
Murray, 31 years old, is the fourth running back signed this week by the Ravens, joining Trenton Cannon and Le'Veon Bell. Bell and Freeman are both on the practice squad.
After refusing to accept a pay cut, Murray was cut abruptly by the New Orleans Saints.
Murray's addition comes just one day after Baltimore lost Gus Edwards who tore his ACL Thursday. Edwards is the third Ravens runningback to sustain a season-ending injury within a 12-day period.
Murray is the Ravens' most experienced running back and could be the featured back once the system gets to him.
Ty'Son Williams is the only running back in good health who was on Baltimore's roster prior to Wednesday. He will likely make his debut on Monday Night Football at the Las Vegas Raiders. Williams, who was not drafted from BYU last season, spent last year on the Ravens’ practice squad and does not have an NFL carry.
The Ravens are the NFL's leader in rushes the past two seasons. They have confidence in their plan, especially with Lamar Jackson, a dual-threat quarterback, drawing so much attention. Every Ravens running back has at least 100 carries in the past two seasons. Only Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, and Mark Ingram have averaged more than 5 yards per carry over those two years.
Ravens' Rushing Options Career Yds Ty'Son Williams 0 Latavius Murray 4,991 Trenton Cannon 146 Le'Veon Bell* 6,453 Devonta Freeman** 4,144 Patrick Ricard -1 * On practice squad
** Joining practice squad, per agent
--ESPN Stats & Information
Murray's running style between tackles is similar to Edwards', and is considered an ideal fit for the Ravens smashmouth system. Murray was a valuable backup to Alvin Kamara, New Orleans. He ran 656 yards in 2020 and averaged 4.5 yards per run. In his seven-year career, he has rushed for 4,991 yards and received 1,294 yards. He also scored 45 touchdowns.
Over the past two weeks, injuries have decimated the Baltimore backfield. J.K. Dobbins, the running back who started the Baltimore team, tore his left ACL in the preseason finale against Washington on August 28. Justice Hill, the projected No. 3 back, tore his Achilles during practice on Sept. 2. On Thursday, Edwards tore his ACL just hours after cornerback Marcus Peters sustained a season-ending injury in his knee.
Cannon was signed to the 53 man roster on Wednesday. He is expected to be a running back who can provide depth and help with special teams. Just before Monday's game, the Ravens will likely promote Bell or Freeman from their practice squad.
Baltimore's average rushing yardage per game has been an NFL-best of 198.9 yards with Jackson in the past two seasons. Fullback Patrick Ricard was the Ravens' only running back with a carry last season. He had minus-1 yards of rushing.
In each of the three previous seasons, the Ravens have adapted to the ground game with a different lead rusher at runningback: Edwards (718 yards), Ingram (1.018 in ’19), and Dobbins (805in '20).
Baltimore's most serious injury this year is Peters's loss as a Pro Bowl cornerback. Five Ravens players have suffered season-ending injuries over a 19-day period.
