Baltimore Ravens signing Devonta Freeman to their practice squad
The Baltimore Ravens have signed veteran free-agent running back Devonta Freeman to their practice squad, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The idea is that Freeman will eventually be promoted to Baltimore’s active roster, according to Schefter.
The move comes on the heels of a number of devastating season-ending injuries to the Ravens running back room in the past few weeks. Baltimore fears it lost Gus Edwards to a season ending ACL tear suffered in Thursday afternoon’s practice. The Ravens had already lost running backs J.K. Dobbins and Justice Hill for the season, too.
Last year with the New York Giants, Freeman looked decent in limited action, rushing 54 times for 172 yards and one rushing touchdown.
The former Florida State tailback put together a few superstar-type NFL seasons several years ago, but has been slowed in recent years due to injuries.
His best seasons came in 2015 and 2016 with the Atlanta Falcons. In 2015, Freeman proved to be one of the best running backs in the National Football League, rushing for 1,056 yards and 11 touchdowns on 265 attempts. A dynamic pass catcher out of the backfield, Freeman hauled in 73 catches for 578 yards, while also catching three touchdowns.
In 2016, he rushed 227 times for 1,079 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. As a receiver, he hauled in 54 catches for 462 receiving yards and caught two touchdown passes. Freeman was one of the best all-purpose running backs in the National Football League at one point, but those days are long behind him.
Freeman joins former Kansas City Chiefs’ running back Le’Veon Bell on the Ravens practice squad. Baltimore just signed Bell to their practice squad on Tuesday.
With the Freeman signing, ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted how the Ravens’ practice squad is currently one of the most decorated in NFL history.
More info on Le’Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman
Bell had remained unsigned since the start of this offseason’s free agency. The 29-year-old running back bounced around last season, playing for the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs.
He finished the year with 328 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 11 games. The Chiefs did not re-sign him after he carried the ball just twice for six yards in the playoffs; he did not appear in the Super Bowl.
In his six seasons with the Steelers, he was a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.
The Michigan State product set Pittsburgh franchise records for most catches by a running back in a single season, receiving yards by a running back, and most total yards by a Steelers rookie tailback.
Freeman spent part of last season with the New York Giants before signing with the Bills practice squad. The Saints scooped him up for training camp but was then released.
The Ravens running back room now has Ty’Son Williams, Le’Veon Bell (practice squad), Devonta Freeman (practice squad), and Trenton Cannon.
On3’s Pete Nakos also contributed to this report.