Ravens Hopeful That Mark Ingram Can Return From Calf Strain in Time for Playoffs
By Sam Dunn
Baltimore Ravens fans surely held their collective breaths when star running back Mark Ingram came up lame Sunday in Cleveland with a non-contact lower leg injury. They may have dodged a bullet when it became clear that no structural damage was sustained, but the AFC's top dogs aren't out of the woods yet.
Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, an MRI confirmed that Ingram suffered a strained calf, but the team is banking on having him back in time for the divisional round of the playoffs.
#Ravens RB Mark Ingram suffered a calf strain, source said after his MRI. The team will be cautious with the strain (or partial tear), but the hope is Ingram is back on the field for the playoffs based on the severity of the injury.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2019
Ingram has been as good as ever in his age 30 season, notching just the third 1,000-yard campaign and third Pro Bowl nod of his career. His 15 total touchdowns are a career high, and his rapport with superstar QB Lamar Jackson (aka "Freaky L") has been undeniable.
To say the very least, there's no like-for-like replacement for what he provides.
Lamar Jackson’s reaction when he found out Mark Ingram broke 1,000 rush yards on the season was happier than any reaction to his own milestones this year. pic.twitter.com/sM8JQCVab0
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) December 22, 2019
And given that they face a Steelers team in Week 17 hell-bent on manufacturing a last-gasp playoff berth, seeing Ingram relegated to the sidelines to wrap the regular season won't be a comfortable site for a Ravens fan base itching to see their team hit the playoffs backed by all the momentum in the world.