Mark Ingram’s move to the Baltimore Ravens took a disappointing turn in the 2020 season, with the longtime New Orleans Saints running back posting the lowest yards from scrimmage total (349) of his career. And now he’s been deactivated for Baltimore in their Wild-Card Round playoff game with the Tennessee Titans.
Other, younger teammates have surpassed Ingram, making him the team’s third running back behind J.K. Dobbins (925 scrimmage yards) and Gus Edwards (852). Ingram doesn’t play special teams at this point in his career, so he’s effectively become a luxury the Ravens can’t afford on game days.
It’s unfortunate to see Ingram fall off so quickly. He made the 2019 Pro Bowl in his first year with the Ravens after racking up 1,265 scrimmage yards and scoring a personal-best 15 touchdowns (10 as a runner, 5 as a receiver). And he did leave New Orleans as the franchise’s leader in touchdown runs, coming up just short of the team’s rushing yards title, too. He’s only 31 years old and could still turn things around.
Just, maybe not this season. No matter how the Ravens’ year ends, Baltimore can save $5 million against the 2021 salary cap by releasing Ingram. One bad season shouldn’t end Ingram’s career. Hopefully he gets a new opportunity to make an impact soon.
