It was the first drive of the first game of the season. Running back Danny Woodhead had already caught three passes for 33 yards and ran the ball once for 4 yards. With his stellar performance, Woodhead was showing why Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome brought him into Baltimore. Just as the offense was getting ready to score, the unthinkable happened. Woodhead fell to the ground with a hamstring injury, and would not return to the game. After the game, it was announced by NFL insider Ian Rappaport that Woodhead was expected to miss four to six weeks. About seven weeks later, on Halloween, Danny Woodhead returned to practice for the Ravens. He was ineligible to play against the Titans that week because he was coming off the injury reserve (IR). Any player placed on the IR must miss eight games per NFL rules.
Now, Danny Woodhead has been cleared to come off the IR and is now on the active 53-man roster for the Baltimore Ravens. To make room for Woodhead, the Ravens had to waive one player. Baltimore cut tight end, Gavin Escobar. Escobar was added to the roster on October 23, to help fill the void of injuries. Woodhead’s return to Baltimore is set to give the Ravens offense a “shot in the arm”, as safety Eric Weddle put it. The Ravens have been one of the NFL’s worst offenses this season. Baltimore is currently ranked 30th in total offense, and 32nd in passing offense out of 32 teams in the NFL. This is in part due to the system that Baltimore runs, and the absence of Woodhead. Baltimore is a team that very relies heavily on screens and check-downs. Woodhead was brought into the offense to be the screen and check-down specialist. He is exceptionally good at fighting for extra yards and picking up first downs. Without Woodhead, the offense faltered. It’s unknown how Woodhead will produce after his hamstring injury, but he could provide much-needed life to a dead Ravens offense.
