/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65157956/1170941735.jpg.0.jpg)
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh announced during his 3:30 p.m. press conference that the Ravens will release fourth-year running back Kenneth Dixon after he recovers from a ‘fractured knee.’
Harbaugh on Kenneth Dixon: 'He's hurt. He's got a fractured knee. He's on IR. He'll be released-injured. Kenny will be moving on."
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 2, 2019
Fans and media members have debated whether Dixon should make the Ravens 2019-20 roster all summer long and that debate has finally concluded with a definitive answer.
Dixon has had highs and lows during his tenure in Baltimore. He’s averaged a healthy 4.8 yards per carry in the 18 games he’s played. The production hasn’t been Dixon’s problem, availability has.
Dixon has always produced when he’s in the lineup, but in the three seasons since the Ravens drafted the Louisiana Tech Bulldog (who set the FBS touchdown record with 87) he’s only been available to play in 18 of 48 games. He played in 12 during the 2016 season, flashing potential. Since then, a meniscus tear ended his 2017 campaign. Then in 2018, a PED suspension coupled with a knee sprain caused Dixon to miss eight games. 24 missed games in two years isn’t a recipe for success, and a knee fracture to cap off the 2019 preseason has been the final straw.
The Ravens will move on from the talented, but oft unavailable back, electing to utilize the three headed monster of Justice Hill, Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards.
Dixon should find work quickly once healthy, and if he’s ever able to stay that way, he will find great success.
Dixon averaged 5.6 yards per carry in 2018, and flashes as a pass catcher as well. His downhill running style mixed with elusiveness and power have resulted in Dixon being graded well by PFF (72.9 in 2018).
Yards after contact / carry
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) August 20, 2019
(2018 RB's; min 40 attempts)
Nick Chubb 4.42
Derrick Henry 4.21
Duke Johnson Jr. 4.13
Kenneth Dixon 3.79
In 2016, among all 71 running backs with at least 40 carries, Kenneth Dixon ranked first in missed tackles forced per attempt pic.twitter.com/t1DnACknzM
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) February 23, 2017
Kenneth Dixon making them miss!
— PFF (@PFF) December 17, 2018
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/kGI2s0dVTB
Kenneth Dixon forced the same amount of missed tackles on 197 rushes than Ezekiel Elliott did on 291 attempts.
— Zoltán Buday (@PFF_Zoltan) March 30, 2016
Dixon has always worked his tail off on the field or to rehab, and hopefully he’s able to get healthy, stay healthy, then catch fire on a new team. Best of luck, KD.