Baltimore Ravens running back Rasheen Ali looks like he's making the jump from bubble to roster lock. Getty
Baltimore Ravens running back Rasheen Ali. Getty
The Baltimore Ravens hoped for more clarity on a certain position battle, but it didn't happen.
Baltimore pulled off a 13-3 win over the Minnesota Vikings, thanks to a strong defensive performance. As for the offense, they were not as good as they were in Week 1 preseason against the Philadelphia Eagles.
One aspect of the offense everyone was interested in was at running back and the RB3 battle between Rasheen Ali and rookie Adam Randall. Turns out that game did nothing to help with it.
GettyARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 16: Rasheen Ali #26 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball during the first half of the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
That was because Ali did not play in the game, as he has been dealing with an injury over the last two weeks. Randall was pulled at the last second, as he too is hurt. The Athletic Ravens reporter Jeff Zrebiec broke down the running back position and what is next.
Beyond center, one of the few decisions the Ravens have to make on offense is whether they keep three or four running backs. If it's three, will they go with veteran Rasheen Ali or rookie fifth-round pick Adam Randall?
No clarity was added to that decision Saturday because neither played. That was expected with Ali, who has been out for the past couple of weeks with an undisclosed injury. Randall, however, had taken part in both joint practices, and there was no indication that he was dealing with a physical issue until Saturday, when Minter said he was sidelined with "something minor.
Even with undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano continuing his impressive preseason performance Saturday, the Ravens are almost certainly going to keep just two quarterbacks. Their six wide receivers seem set, and LaJohntay Wester's touchdown Saturday probably means he's in lock territory. They'll keep four tight ends, too. So that leaves running back and offensive line as the offensive decisions to be made in the last week of the regular season."
Ali has yet to play in a preseason game. Randall at least got to play against the Eagles and did well, rushing for 46 yards on 12 carries and 1 touchdown. He also caught 1 pass for 2 yards in the win.
GettyBALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 09: Rasheen Ali #26 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball as Tyler Hall #31 of the Philadelphia Eagles defends during the second half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Ravens might need one more game to fully decide what to do about the running back position. Derrick Henry and Justice Hill are locks to be the top two guys. The rest of the room still needs to be decided.
Randall feels like he should be ahead in the competition since he has played more in the last two weeks. Ali is a good pass-blocking back that might be hard to move on from since they are tough to find.
There is so much to decide, but the big thing is Ali being healthy and on the field. Another week of being out, and Randall might win by default, but he needs to get healthy too.
This was not what the Ravens wanted to deal with at running back. Unfortunately, they have a long way to go in figuring out this mess of a position battle.
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