The Ravens are loaded at running back with Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, and Keaton Mitchell, but that may not keep Rasheen Ali from making the 53-man roster.
Ali has several traits that make him an intriguing roster candidate . During the preseason, he has shown burst as a ballcarrier both between the tackles and outside, while also being an effective kickoff returner.
In the preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts, Ali nearly took a 69-yard kick return to the house and added 37 yards on nine carries. In last week's preseason victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Ali finished with 62 yards on 19 carries and added a 25-yard kickoff return.
After that game, Head Coach John Harbaugh indicated the Ravens planned to keep four running backs, which would put Ali in the mix.
"That's my plan at this point," Harbaugh said. "Of course, [General Manager] Eric [DeCosta] and I talk about it every day, so I think we're on the same page. We'll have to see. We're not there yet."
A fifth-round pick in 2024, Ali was slowed by a neck injury that cost him the first five weeks of last season and played almost exclusively on special teams as a rookie. However, Ali is healthy this summer, and Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken has seen the difference.
"A full offseason, full training camp, he's only going to continue to get better," Monken said. "He is an explosive athlete … we have to continue to find ways within the offense to get him involved."
Returning kicks is one way for Ali to make plays. Mitchell and Ali have both returned kicks, and having Ali available on Sundays would be fine with Special Teams Coordinator Chris Horton.
"It's always good to have a guy back there that's very dynamic, a guy that runs with power," Horton said. "As we get closer to the season, we'll see how things shake out."
Ali wants to contribute in any way and has benefited from being mentored by the talented running backs on Baltimore's depth chart.
"It's amazing," Ali said. "Just being around those guys, seeing different ways, different styles every day, and just trying to add it to me. Last year was a little rocky for me. There was a lot of trials and tribulations. Just being in the room with them every day, seeing how they think, talking to them every day, [it] helps out a lot."
Mike Green Showing Skills Dropping Into Coverage
Mike Green led the nation with 17 sacks at Marshall last season, and the Ravens drafted primarily for his skill set as a rusher. However, Green had his second interception since arriving in Baltimore in Tuesday's practice and has shown promise as a pass defender.
Dropping into pass coverage won't be Green's primary responsibility, but being respected as a pass defender could help the entire defense and help Green get on the field more.
"Obviously, you want him going forward a lot more than going backward because of his pass rush ability," Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr said. "But when you're an outside backer, an edge rusher, you have to be able to drop a little bit so you can help manipulate protections. If teams are just going to slide to you the whole time, you limit your chances of getting one-on-ones."
Green wants to become an every-down linebacker, and Orr sees that potential.
"He's a real good athlete," Orr said. "He's comfortable going backward, flipping his hips. He has natural hands as well."
Todd Monken Likes Where the Offense Stands With Week 1 Getting Close
This is Monken's third season with the Ravens, which allowed more players and coaches to hit the ground running with his system at the start of training camp. With the Sept. 7 season opener getting closer, Monken believes Baltimore's offensive comfort level and installation is ahead of last season's pace.
"We've all worked together. We've all game-planned together," Monken said. "We're all used to the way we go about our business on a daily basis."
"Then the players themselves, there ought to be a comfort level there to where we're just looking to tweak things, improve, and be more efficient at some of the little things that I know we can be better at."
Monken isn't worried about the possibility of Lamar Jackson being rusty in Week 1 after not playing during the preseason. Jackson hasn't played a preseason snap since Monken has been the coordinator.
"[Jackson] practices his rear end off every day," Monken said. "Every year I've been here, we practiced against other teams, which is as close as you're going to get, so I'm not concerned at all."
Pre-Snap Penalties Have Become Less Frequent
The Ravens want Jackson to vary his cadence more often this season, which will require offensive discipline to avoid pre-snap penalties. Monken is pleased that he's seeing fewer flags during recent practices.
"It's been better," Monken said. "It's pretty easy to see. We've been a lot better, and we have to continue to be elite. Like I said, you can't consider yourself an elite offense and really challenge defenses if you can't change your cadence. You just can't. We know that's been an emphasis, and we've been a lot better."
