Baltimore Ravens: Ty’Son Williams can be a shining light

The Baltimore Ravens fell to an Overtime loss on Monday Night to the Las Vegas Raiders, but one player made an impact bigger than most.

The Baltimore Ravens have had a torrid offseason, despite what preseason results would have you think. They lost their top three running backs on the depth chart in addition to starting inside linebacker L.J. Fort and star cornerback Marcus Peters to season-ending injuries in the span of a week.

They started their 2021 NFL season on Monday Night Football, taking on the Las Vegas Raiders in the first game with fans at new Allegiant Stadium. The Ravens would eventually lose, 33-27, in what was a crazy game, mostly due to their own mistakes.

The game was one that will, understandably, leave Raven’s fans feeling rather downbeat about the season ahead as the AFC North continues to get better and the team has to play Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.

Before the game against the Raiders, Baltimore had brought in some reinforcements at running back, signing Latavius Murray and Trenton Cannon, who were both activated for the game, and adding Le’Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman to the practice squad.

Despite all the additions, it was the one running back on the roster before everyone that shone the most in Week 1.

Ty’Son Williams impressed and provided hope with his Baltimore Ravens debut.

Ty’Son Williams went undrafted in 2020 after bouncing around at the collegiate level, appearing for North Carolina, South Carolina and finally BYU. He was signed to the Ravens and spent the whole of last season on the practice squad before finding himself to be the number one back going into 2021.

It was clear from the off that Ravens were going to go with him as the lead back in this game and, though he started slowly, he didn’t disappoint. Williams ran for 68 yards on nine carries, averaging 7.2 yards per carry, matching quarterback Lamar Jackson. Williams also scored his first NFL touchdown on a fourth-down play that, at the time, gave the Ravens the lead.

Williams has all the attributes to be the teams best choice as lead back, he is a good downhill runner, but can be elusive with his runs. In the passing game, he is not afraid of making routes, and looks to have steady hands.

Williams also has an attribute that the Ravens organization tends to love. Williams tore his ACL in college and ever since has had that chip on his shoulder, a chip that can only drive him forward, a trait head coach John Harbaugh is known to love.

Williams was solid on Monday Night and, as the Ravens released Cannon on Tuesday night, it looks as though he will get more chances in Week 2.