Rasheen

Ali

The Ravens drafted Ali with a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, despite Ali having suffered a ruptured biceps at the Senior Bowl. His rookie season debut was then delayed by an early September neck injury. He made his offensive debut in Week 15 but failed to sufficiently wow the coaching staff and never managed to carve out a role for himself. He tacked on 107 return yards via four kickoff returns. Ali currently profiles as a 20th-round best ball pick in 2025.

Ali gets his chance to operate in the No. 2 role with Justice Hill sidelined (concussion/illness) this week. Ali has delivered mixed results since debuting in Week 15 following a stint on injured reserve, though he has flashed intriguing tackle-breaking traits at times. Ali does not need to be in re-draft lineups but could be considered in single-game DFS tournaments.

John Harbaugh said that he expected Hill to play this week, but it’d be nice to see him actually practicing in one of the next two days before we believed that fully. Rasheen Ali, the replacement third-down back who left Week 17’s game early with a hip injury, was limited today and would likely assume some of Hill’s role again in Week 18 if Hill’s absence were to be more prolonged.

With Justice Hill out for Week 17 because of a concussion, Ali was in line for RB2 duties this week. That didn’t amount to much as he earned one carry which was a loss of three yards. Keaton Mitchell could ascend to the No. 2 role for Week 18 if Ali and Hill remain out.

Ditto Nelson Agholor. Neither player practiced this week and both should be considered questionable for Week 18. It was always unlikely that Hill would clear protocol in just four days. We rarely if ever see players cleared for Thursday Night Football under such circumstances. Rasheen Ali saw nine snaps in relief of Hill last week and it’s possible he caddies for Derrick Henry on passing downs during Wednesday’s game. Keaton Mitchell could also see snaps there despite being a healthy scratch each of the last two weeks.

No major surprises here as the Ravens remain one of the healthier teams in the league. The biggest absence is DT Broderick Washington, normally a starter off the edge for the Ravens.

Making his NFL debut after coming off injured reserve, fifth-round rookie Ali will try to push Justice Hill for change-of-pace/third-down touches. Inactive for the Ravens are WR Devontez Walker, WR/RS Deonte Harty, OG Andrew Vorhees, C Nick Samac, EDGE Adisa Isaac and S Beau Brade.

Ali opened the year on injured reserve after suffering a neck injury ahead of Week 1. He was a full participant in Friday’s practice, suggesting he has a good chance of suiting up this week. His return would give the Ravens another backup option behind Derrick Henry. Guard Andrew Vorhees is listed as questionable but appears likely to play versus the Bengals.

Ali was placed on injured reserve to open the season after suffering a neck injury. The rookie fifth-rounder will return to practice on Thursday and will now have 21 days to be activated from IR or be ruled out for the season. Assuming he does make it back, Ali won’t have much fantasy upside as a rookie as long as Derrick Henry and Justice Hill are upright. He could, however, make for an interesting stash in only the deepest of leagues as the handcuff to Henry.

Ali earned a “doubtful” tag for Week 1 against the Chiefs, suggesting this is more of a four-game ailment than season-ending issue. It still means Ali is unlikely to get into the 2024 change-of-pace mix behind Derrick Henry, at least until deep into the second half of the season.