Baltimore Ravens promote veteran RB Devonta Freeman to active roster

Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens promoted veteran running back Devonta Freeman to the active roster Thursday, the team announced.

The 29-year-old Freeman, who spent nearly a week on the Ravens' practice squad, joins Ty'Son Williams and Latavius Murray in Baltimore's revamped backfield. The team signed Freeman to the practice squad Friday, just one day after starter Gus Edwards suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Freeman, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, was cut by the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 31 after he spent a month with the team. Last season, the former Florida State tailback gained 172 rushing yards and one touchdown in five games for the New York Giants.

During Baltimore's season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, the Ravens split touches between Williams (12 touches for 94 total yards and one touchdown) and Murray (10 for 28 yards). The team primarily went with Williams in the first half before leaning on Murray in the third and fourth quarters.

Freeman's promotion leaves fellow Pro Bowler Le'Veon Bell as the only running back on the Ravens' practice squad. On Wednesday, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said all four ball carriers would be used at some point this season.

"We have four good guys in here, and those guys are all going to be a big part of what we're doing going forward," Harbaugh said. "I'm excited about having those four guys. I think we were very, very blessed, the fact that those guys were available when our guys got hurt. So, it's big. They're good players, and they're going to play well."

The Ravens also lost J.K. Dobbins (knee) and Justice Hill (Achilles tendon) to season-ending injuries in the weeks leading up to their season opener.