Report: Ravens finalizing deal with RB Latavius Murray

According to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebic, the Ravens are working on finalizing a deal with running back Latavius Murray.

This news comes just hours after Gus Edwards reportedly suffered a torn ACL in practice on Thursday, which prompted the Ravens to sign Devonta Freeman to the practice squad.

Murray was recently released by the New Orleans Saints after refusing to take a pay cut. The 31-year-old played 31 games for the Saints over the past two seasons. He drew 15 starts and compiled totals of 1,293 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns. Murray saw 146 rushing attempts in both 2019 and 2020, working in tandem with Alvin Kamara in the backfield.

Prior to his stint in New Orleans, Murray played two seasons in Minnesota and the previous three in Oakland with the Raiders. For his career, the seven-year veteran has just under 5,000 rushing yards, 43 rushing touchdowns and a yards-per-carry average of 4.2.

At 6-foot-3 and 230Ibs, Murray is a bruising, downhill runner. He’s similar in play style and physical makeup to Gus Edwards, so the Ravens could be hoping Murray can fill a short-yardage and goal-line back role.

The addition of Murray only further clouds the Ravens’ backfield situation. Murray joins a group featuring Ty’Son Williams, Trenton Cannon, Devonta Freeman and Le’Veon Bell. Cannon, Bell, and Freeman were all signed within the past few days; Cannon to the 53-man roster, Bell and Freeman to the practice squad.

The past two weeks have seen Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, and Justice Hill all suffer season-ending injuries, forcing the Ravens to rebuild their running back room on the fly.

It will interesting to see how snaps and touches are divided between this new-look group, as well as who sticks on the active gameday roster.

Update: The Ravens officially signed Murray to a one-year deal on Friday.