The Baltimore Ravens are coming off a dominating performance in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills, winning by a final score of 47-3 on Sunday afternoon. However, it saw veteran running back Kenneth Dixon suffer a knee injury that is expected to keep him out of action for the next few weeks, according to Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network.
#Ravens RB Kenneth Dixon, one of many people to score a TD last week, suffered a knee injury that is expected to keep him out several weeks, source said. So, he’s out Thursday and beyond.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2018
Dixon played a large role in the season opener, rushing for a team-best 44 yards on 13 carries along with a touchdown. He was the leading rushing option Sunday despite Alex Collins receiving the start to begin the season. Collins struggled in his limited action, recording just 13 rushing yards on seven carries, but he did get into the end zone.
Dixon's absence puts Collins in position to be the clear-cut top option out of the backfield, as he was for much of last year. It appears John Harbaugh was prepared to give Collins that workhorse role this season, but his slow start to the year hampered him a bit, as he received fewer and fewer snaps as the game went on. What should be factored into the equation is that Dixon was having much success with his opportunities while quarterback Joe Flacco was moving the ball down the field in the passing game.
In his first year with the Ravens, Collins finished 11th in the league with 973 rushing yards, and his 4.6 yards per carry ranked eighth-best with 12 starts. His first two 100-yard performances helped earn him a solidified role in the backfield.
However, Baltimore may split the carries among the other options at the position, with Javrious Allen receiving some of the workload. Allen is versatile talent in both the passing and running game.
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