WATCH: Video surfaces as Keaton Mitchell suffers horrifying leg injury on SNF vs Jaguars
Keaton Mitchell has made the most of his opportunity after the Baltimore Ravens signed him as an undrafted free agent this year. His playing time increased after J.K. Dobbins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in their season-opener against the Houston Texans.
Mitchell has been a valuable contributor to the Ravens’ cause, tallying 38 carries for 323 yards and two touchdowns before their Week 15 Sunday Night Football game. Unfortunately, his status remains uncertain after suffering an in-game injury.
UPDATE: Mitchell has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL tear.
Keaton Mitchell is out of the Week 15 SNF game after a first-down run
The Baltimore Ravens started the drive on their 24-yard line with 13:31 left in the fourth quarter.
Lamar Jackson handed the ball to Keaton Mitchell, who bounced to his right and found the gap in the Jacksonville Jaguars defense. Safety Andrew Wingard slowed him down, but not before Mitchell got the first down.
However, the former East Carolina standout was shaken after Wingard pulled his ankle, forcing him to tumble down. He was motionless on the field after the play.
Here's the video:
Sunday Night Football sideline reporter Melissa Stark shared that Keaton Mitchell needed assistance going to the Ravens sideline before being carted away. He suffered a knee injury, prompting further evaluation, and is questionable to return. NBC chose to skip the replay of Mitchell suffering the injury.
Mitchell was a massive factor in the Ravens’ 23-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had 73 of the 251 yards Baltimore gained on the ground before abruptly exiting the game. More importantly, the Ravens improved to 11-3 and clinched a playoff spot in the highly competitive American Football Conference.
Meanwhile, Fox Sports’ Jason McIntyre compared the sequence to Bo Jackson’s career-ending injury.
Mitchell ended the game tied with Jackson, gaining 8.1 yards per carry. That’s just below his 8.5 yards per carry average for the season.
When will Keaton Mitchell return?
The Ravens have three regular-season games left, all against tough opposition. They visit the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16 before returning home to face the Miami Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mitchell, unfortunately, will not suit up for the rest of the season. His absence will be a massive blow to the Ravens' offense. They lost Dobbins earlier in the season, and the games get more challenging in the postseason.