A broken arm ended running back Justin Forsett's season on Sunday, but apparently not his Baltimore Ravens career. Ravens coach John Harbaugh talked about Forsett as if he remains part of the team's plans in 2016.
It wasn't considered a sure bet that Forsett would be back. Forsett will turn 31 next season, Baltimore can create salary-cap room by cutting him this offseason or next, and the Ravens drafted running backs (Buck Allen and Lorenzo Taliaforro) in each of the past two drafts.
"I would expect Justin back next year full-speed, ready to go," Harbaugh said. "He’s under contract and a big part of what we’re doing going forward."
Forsett signed a three-year, $9 million deal with the Ravens this year, but only the $2.1 million signing bonus and his 2015 salary ($900,000) are guaranteed.
He earned a new deal last season when he seamlessly replaced Ray Rice, who was released. Forsett averaged a league-best 5.4 yards per carry and finished fifth in rushing with 1,266 yards. The Ravens haven't committed to the run as much in 2015 with first-year offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, and Forsett only ranked 10th in the NFL in rushing this season.
Forsett was off to one of his best starts of the season Sunday, gaining 26 yards on four carries (6.5-yard average) before breaking his right arm. He was stopped behind the line by Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and it appeared as if his right arm got caught underneath him as he was being slammed to the ground. The teammates who witnessed it described the injury as gruesome.
"I kind of looked over his body and just saw his forearm and said, 'OK. I’m not looking at that anymore,'" quarterback Joe Flacco said. "I didn’t see much, but I knew it wasn’t good. It’s a shame."
