Ravens reportedly put in waiver claim on Royce Freeman

Royce Freeman Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens reportedly put in waiver claim on former Broncos RB Royce Freeman

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 9/3/21

After J.K. Dobbins suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the Baltimore Ravens' final preseason game, head coach John Harbaugh said he was confident the club's remaining running backs could get the job done this year.

However, that confidence did not stop the Ravens from reportedly putting in a waiver claim for former Denver Broncos ball-carrier Royce Freeman, according to ESPN's Field Yates.

The Las Vegas Raiders also put in a claim, but Freeman ended up with the Carolina Panthers because the franchise had a higher spot in the waiver order.

With J.K. Dobbins out for the season, the Ravens put in a waiver claim on new Panthers RB Royce Freeman, per source.

So too did the Raiders, but Carolina had priority (8th overall) and added the 2018 third-round pick to its backfield.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 3, 2021

Baltimore's interest in Freeman suggests the franchise might be looking to bolster its running back group ahead of Week 1 against the Raiders. Right now, the Ravens currently have Gus Edwards, Ty'Son Williams and Justice Hill available.

Edwards has three consecutive seasons of more than 700 rushing yards. The 2020 campaign was his best with a career-high 723 yards and six scores.

Williams, meanwhile, has never appeared in an NFL regular-season game, while Hill has appeared in 28 games over two seasons, running for 285 yards and two touchdowns.

Several talented running backs are still available on the market, including Todd Gurley, Kerryon Johnson, T.J. Yeldon, LeSean McCoy, Adrian Peterson and Le'Veon Bell.

However, the Ravens are reportedly not pursuing Gurley even though he recently worked out for the franchise.

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