Kenneth Dixon tears meniscus, needs surgery
Facing a potential battle for a roster spot, Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon is headed for knee surgery.
As a rookie in 2016, Kenneth Dixon had double-digit carries just four times in 12 games on his way to 118 touches and 544 total yards. The Baltimore Ravens added Danny Woodhead to their running back mix in free agency, but Dixon is still in line for a role in a likely committee this year. If he can stay healthy, and in the good graces of the league office.
Just after the new league year started in March, Dixon was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. A knee injury last preseason delayed the start of his rookie season, and kept him from a significant role until Week 12. Now, during the first week of training camp, Dixon is dealing with another knee issue that will keep him out of action for a bit.
Kenneth Dixon is having surgery today. Ravens will obviously know more after that.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) July 25, 2017
Dixon will have surgery to repair a torn meniscus on Tuesday, with a possible 6-8 week absence depending on how severe the tear is. He won’t be eligible to play until Week 5 anyway, so any recovery time will mostly overlap with his suspension and not dramatically affect Dixon’s availability in the big picture of the coming season.
In search of a camp body, at minimum, the Ravens are moving quickly to sign running back Bobby Rainey.
Per sources, the Ravens are planning to sign RB Bobby Rainey who was with them earlier in his career. They wanted more RB depth.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) July 25, 2017
Rainey spent last season with the New York Giants, with 17 carries and 20 receptions over 15 regular season games. The Ravens signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2012, and had him on the practice squad for most of that season. After being cut by Baltimore late in the 2013 preseason, Rainey landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spent three seasons there.
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Dixon could be stashed on the PUP list until he is fully healthy. But the Ravens could easily see him as not worth the trouble, and cut ties before Dixon can get on the field again.