The Baltimore Ravens have reportedly worked out five running backs on Friday afternoon, per ESPN’s Field Yates.
The Ravens tried out RB Jamaal Charles, per source. He was one of five backs to try out (Charcandrick West, Fitz Touissant, Akrum Wadley and Dare Ogunbowale).
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 26, 2018
Baltimore currently has three running backs on their active roster — Alex Collins, Javorius Allen, and Gus Edwards. They also have running back Mark Thompson on their practice squad. However, the Ravens’ running game has not gotten off to the start they had hoped. It is not entirely the running backs’ fault for the poor results in the running game but adding another tailback could give them a necessary spark.
Jamaal Charles is the big name on this list as he was a playmaker in Kansas City for several years. He was one of the top running backs in the league with the Chiefs, but those days are behind him. Since being released from Kansas City, Charles has played for the Broncos and Jaguars. In 16 total games over the last two season, he has amounted 303 rushing yards and one touchdown. Charles was reportedly mulling over retiring after being released by the Jaguars, but that could change if the Ravens decided to kick the tires on him.
Another interesting name on this list is former Iowa Hawkeye running back Akrum Wadley. Although he ultimately went undrafted, he was one of the more intriguing running backs in the 2018 NFL Draft class. It was a shock that Wadley did not get drafted, but he quickly landed on the Titans’ roster as an undrafted free agent. After spending the preseason in Tennessee, Wadley was cut and not re-signed to their practice squad. He has been out of football since then.
In college, Wadley was a human highlight reel. Wadley’s ability to make defenders miss is his greatest trait. He does not go down easy, and he fights for every yard. Wadley can also make an impact in the passing game, as he showed at Iowa. In his final two seasons, Wadley combined for over 2,000 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. He also added 64 receptions for 668 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He could be worthy of a practice squad spot if the Ravens can clear a spot for him.
Charcandrick West started his NFL career with the Chiefs and was with them for four seasons before being cut in 2018. He then signed with the Jets but was cut before the regular season began. He is a serviceable running back, who could also make an impact in the passing game.
Fitzgerald Toussaint is another veteran running back, and he actually started his NFL career in Baltimore. Toussaint was with the Ravens during the 2014 season. He served primarily as a special teams player. After being released by Baltimore in 2015, Toussaint spent the next few seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was also a special teamer and a third-string running back. He was released by Pittsburgh before the start of the 2018 season.
The fifth running back Baltimore worked out was former Wisconsin Badger Dare Ogunbowale. He went undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft but quickly signed with the Houston Texans. He has had stints with three different teams, including two times with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Ravens have several options if they choose to add a running back as they could sign any of these players or wait a couple of weeks until Kenneth Dixon can return to the field as one of their two injured reserve-designated to return players. According to the NFL rules, if a player is to be selected as one of two IR-DTR players, they must miss eight games before being activated.
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