Rasheen Ali's Role Grows Steadily in the Baltimore Ravens

When the Baltimore Ravens signed undrafted free agent Rasheen Ali ahead of the 2024 season, few expected the young running back to carve out a meaningful role so quickly—especially with established stars like Derrick Henry and Gus Edwards already anchoring the backfield. But as the season has unfolded, Ali’s role has grown steadily, evolving from a practice-squad standout and garbage-time contributor to a reliable rotational player who impacts key drives. His blend of speed, elusiveness, and pass-catching ability has filled a gap in the Ravens’ offense, offering a dynamic counterpoint to Henry’s power running. Rasheen Ali's Role Grows Steadily in the Baltimore Ravens traces this gradual ascent, highlighting the moments that earned him more playing time, the unique value he brings to the offense, and how his growing presence is shaping the Ravens’ late-season push for the playoffs.

Ali’s first taste of meaningful playing time came in Week 11, when Henry missed the Ravens’ matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers with a minor knee injury. Tasked with backing up Edwards, Ali seized the opportunity: he rushed for 78 yards on 15 carries (a 5.2-yard average), caught three passes for 24 yards, and helped the Ravens erase a 10-point deficit to win 27-24. What stood out most wasn’t just the stats—it was his composure in high-pressure moments. On a third-and-5 play in the fourth quarter, Ali took a screen pass, broke two tackles, and gained 12 yards to keep a game-tying drive alive. “Rasheen didn’t look like a rookie out there—he looked like a guy who’s been playing in this league for years,” head coach John Harbaugh said after the game. Even when Henry returned the following week, Ali retained a spot in the rotation, getting 8 carries for 45 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This small but significant shift marked the start of his steady role growth, proving he could contribute even when the Ravens’ top running back was healthy. Rasheen Ali's Role Grows Steadily in the Baltimore Ravens emphasizes that this Week 11 performance wasn’t a fluke—it was the catalyst for Ali to become a regular part of the Ravens’ offensive game plan.

As Ali’s role expanded, his unique skill set began to reshape the Ravens’ rushing attack. Unlike Henry (a bruising power back) and Edwards (a between-the-tackles runner), Ali thrives on the edge, using his 4.45-second 40-yard dash speed to turn short gains into big plays. Film from the Ravens’ Week 14 win over the Miami Dolphins shows this perfectly: on a second-and-8 play in the third quarter, Ali took a handoff, rounded the right end, and outran two Dolphins defenders for a 32-yard gain that set up a touchdown. He also emerged as a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield, something the Ravens had lacked earlier in the season. Against the Dolphins, Ali caught four passes for 38 yards, including a 15-yard reception on third-and-10 that extended a crucial scoring drive. “Rasheen gives us a dimension we don’t have with Derrick or Gus,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “He can stretch the defense horizontally, which opens up running lanes for Derrick inside. It’s a perfect complement.” This ability to complement the Ravens’ other running backs has made Ali indispensable, as defenses can no longer focus solely on stopping Henry. Rasheen Ali's Role Grows Steadily in the Baltimore Ravens highlights that Ali’s role growth isn’t just about getting more carries—it’s about adding a new layer of complexity to the Ravens’ offense.

By Week 16, Ali’s role had grown to the point where he was splitting snaps evenly with Edwards, and even taking some reps alongside Henry in two-back sets. This was most evident in the Ravens’ critical Week 16 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, a must-win game for their playoff hopes. Ali finished the game with 10 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown, plus three catches for 22 yards. His biggest play came in the second quarter, when he lined up next to Henry in the backfield: the Steelers stacked the box to stop Henry, leaving Ali open on a short pass. He caught the ball, broke a tackle, and sprinted 18 yards into the end zone for his first NFL touchdown. “That two-back set with Rasheen and Derrick is something we’re going to keep using,” Monken said after the game. For the Baltimore Ravens, this formation has become a secret weapon—defenses struggle to decide whether to focus on Henry’s power or Ali’s speed, creating mismatches the Ravens can exploit. Ali’s growing comfort in these creative packages has also made him a favorite of Jackson, who often looks for him on check-down passes when the primary receiver is covered. Rasheen Ali's Role Grows Steadily in the Baltimore Ravens shows that the Baltimore Ravens are now building plays specifically to leverage Ali’s strengths, a clear sign his role has evolved from “fill-in” to “key contributor.”

Ali’s steady role growth has also had a positive impact on the Baltimore Ravens’ overall offensive efficiency. Before he became a regular part of the rotation, the Ravens’ rushing attack was predictable: defenses knew Henry would get the ball in short-yardage situations, and Edwards would handle most other carries. With Ali in the mix, the offense has become more unpredictable, leading to better results. In the six games before Ali’s Week 11 breakout, the Ravens averaged 128 rushing yards per game and 4.3 yards per carry. In the six games since, they’ve averaged 156 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry—numbers that rank among the top five in the NFL over that stretch. Ali has also helped reduce Henry’s workload, keeping the 30-year-old fresh for the playoffs. Henry averaged 18 carries per game in the first 10 weeks; since Ali’s role expanded, he’s averaged 14 carries per game, while still putting up similar yards (102 yards per game vs. 105 yards per game). “Having Rasheen means Derrick doesn’t have to carry the load every down,” Harbaugh said. “That’s going to be huge for us in January.” For the Baltimore Ravens, Ali’s role growth isn’t just about improving the offense now—it’s about ensuring it stays elite deep into the playoffs. Rasheen Ali's Role Grows Steadily in the Baltimore Ravens underscores that the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive success in the second half of the season is directly tied to Ali’s expanding role.

Looking ahead to the playoffs and beyond, Ali’s role is poised to grow even more—especially as the Baltimore Ravens face stiffer competition. His speed and pass-catching ability will be crucial against top AFC defenses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, which have struggled to contain dynamic running backs who can contribute in both the run and pass games. In a potential playoff matchup against the Chiefs, for example, Ali could be used to exploit Kansas City’s weakness in covering running backs out of the backfield (the Chiefs rank 22nd in the NFL in yards allowed to running backs in the passing game). Ali himself is focused on continuing to earn the trust of his coaches and teammates. “I’m not satisfied with where I am now,” he said after the Ravens’ Week 17 win over the Cleveland Browns. “I want to keep getting better, keep contributing more, and help this team win a Super Bowl.” For the Baltimore Ravens, Ali’s steady growth is a rare bright spot in a season filled with ups and downs—it’s a reminder that even undrafted players can become key contributors with hard work and opportunity. As the Ravens prepare for the playoffs, Ali’s role will only become more important, and his journey from undrafted free agent to playoff contributor will serve as inspiration for the entire team. Rasheen Ali's Role Grows Steadily in the Baltimore Ravens concludes that the Baltimore Ravens have found a hidden gem in Ali, and his steady role growth has not only improved their offense this season but also set them up for success in the years to come. Whether he’s scoring touchdowns, extending drives, or keeping Henry fresh, Ali has proven he belongs—and that his best football is still ahead of him.