Lorenzo Taliaferro Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Ravens on Saturday activated RB Lorenzo Taliaferro from the PUP. He missed the entire offseason with the foot injury that initially knocked him out last October. Taliaferro returns to find Terrance West controlling the backfield, with Kenneth Dixon and Buck Allen likely secure ahead of him on the depth chart as well.

Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun reports that RB Terrance West has looked "leaner and more explosive" so far this offseason. West is reportedly down to 219 pounds -- within the 215-220 range in which he said he wants to play -- after spending last season at 234. West will still face stiff competition to earn a roster spot in a crowded Ravens backfield, and we're not betting on him making a significant fantasy impact. But his offseason work will only add intrigue to 1 of the league's most interesting offenses heading into training camp. West did, at least, work ahead of RB Lorenzo Taliaferro in spring -- with Justin Forsett and Buck Allen ahead while injuries sidelined Kenneth Dixon and Trent Richardson.

Ravens RB Trent Richardson "likely" needs arthroscopic knee surgery to address a pre-existing issue, according to insider Jeff Zrebiec. We don't have a timetable for Richardson's return, but any missed time won't help his long odds of making an impact this season. Zrebiec confirms that the former 1st-round pick "had [a] steep climb to make [the] team as it is." Richardson, Terrance West and Lorenzo Taliaferro are competing for, at most, 1 roster spot.

ESPN's Jamison Hensley considers Justin Forsett the favorite to remain the team's "top back."  It's just 1 man's opinion, and veterans tend to get the benefit of the doubt this time of year.  Hensley also acknowledges that Forsett will need to hold off Buck Allen, Kenneth Dixon, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Terrance West and Trent Richardson.  In other words, Baltimore's backfield is wide open heading to training camp.  But we can't count out Forsett, who's lasting into the 9th or 10th round of recent MFL10s.

The Ravens placed RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) on IR, ending his 2015 campaign.  We don't have any details on his injury.  Rookie Buck Allen is now locked in as Baltimore's #2 RB -- and this weekend's starter if RB Justin Forsett's sprained ankle keeps him out.

Ravens RB Justin Forsett (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday.  Don't expect him to get much, if any, work this week.  But HC John Harbaugh said Monday that Forsett has a chance to play against the 49ers on Sunday.  RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) was also sidelined on Wednesday.  If both guys miss this weekend's game, rookie Buck Allen would serve as Baltimore's lead back.

Ravens RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) is a surprise inactive for today's game against the Browns.  He was listed as probable on the injury report.  Rookie Buck Allen will serve as the #2 RB in what figures to be a run-heavy attack from Baltimore.

Ravens RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) is active for today’s game against the Bengals. He’ll serve as the #2 RB behind Justin Forsett and likely vulture goal-line carries.

Ravens RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) is questionable for this weekend’s game against the Bengals. He returned to practice on Friday after sitting out the previous 2 days but still looks like a game-time decision. Taliaferro isn’t a fantasy option, but his absence could mean a few extra touches for RB Justin Forsett.

Ravens RB Lorenzo Taliaferro missed his 2nd straight practice on Thursday with a foot injury.  He just made his 2015 debut last week after being sidelined a few weeks with a knee injury.  If he can't play against the Bengals on Sunday, rookie Buck Allen would slide back in as Baltimore's #2 RB.

Ravens RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (knee) returned to practice on Wednesday.  It gives him a shot to make his 2015 debut against the Raiders this weekend.  Taliaferro was 2nd on the depth chart before going down, but it's unclear if he'll immediately reclaim that role from RB Buck Allen.  Neither guy is worth owning in standard redraft leagues.

Ravens RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's opener against the Broncos.  Insider Jamison Hensley believes that he has a shot to return for Week 2.  Buck Allen figures to serve as Baltimore's #2 RB this weekend, but RB Justin Forsett will dominate touches.

Ravens HC John Harbaugh announced that RB Lorenzo Taliaferro will miss a "few weeks" with an MCL injury suffered in Saturday's preseason game.  That puts his availability for Week 1 in doubt.  Taliaferro was looking like Baltimore's #2 RB, but this absence will give Buck Allen a shot to take over that job.  Neither guy is worth rostering as a handcuff to Justin Forsett in standard redraft fantasy leagues right now.

Ravens RB Lorenzo Taliaferro left Saturday's game against the Eagles with a knee injury. The severity wasn't clear as of late Saturday night, so we'll await official word from the team. Taliaferro had seemed to be leading rookie Buck Allen in the fight for #2 duties behind Justin Forsett, but any missed time could give Allen a chance to pass him.

New Ravens OC Marc Trestman told ESPN.com that it's an "overblown perception" that he's necessarily pass-heavy with his offensive approach. He says he has schemed to his teams' strengths, and Baltimore's starts on the ground. “Ravens football starts with the running game, and that doesn’t mean you’re not going to throw the ball,” Trestman said, via ESPN.com. “But the emphasis here is we want to be a great running football team and we have the players to do that." Trestman's Bears ranked 24th and 30th in the league in rushing attempts the past 2 years, but that team had a pair of #1-type WRs, a strong receiving TE and perhaps the league's best receiving RB. We're already on board with RB Justin Forsett in 2015 fantasy football drafts. If Trestman does lean run more, it could help reserves Lorenzo Taliaferro and Buck Allen find more regular touches. Cowboys OC Scott Linehan -- for what it's worth -- gave an example last year of a traditionally pass-heavy coach who can lean way in the other direction if the situation merits. For now, we're not altering our projections for the Ravens offense at all, though.

The Ravens selected RB Buck Allen in the 4th round.  This fit makes a ton of sense.  Allen is 1 of the best pass-catching backs in this draft class, racking up 41 catches for 458 yards and a score in 2014.  He led the RB class in yards per route run, per Pro Football Focus.  Allen joins a Ravens offense run by OC Marc Trestman, who loves to get his RBs involved in the passing game.  Justin Forsett is a strong pass-catcher, but Allen could immediately eat into his receiving production.  Longer term, the 6'0, 221-pounder has the potential to develop into a lead back.  Allen's arrival is bad news for RB Lorenzo Taliaferro.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Ravens have reached a deal to keep RB Justin Forsett around. Forsett enjoyed easily his best year to date in 2014 but then watched OC Gary Kubiak move on to Denver. Baltimore replaced him with Marc Trestman, who ran the Bears offense that found 102 receptions for Matt Forte -- 19 more than any other RB in the league last year. Forsett will turn 30 in mid-October but has logged just 582 carries in his career, including only 235 as the Ravens' lead back last year. We wouldn't be surprised to see Lorenzo Taliaferro take on more work in 2015 -- or the team bring in another back -- but Forsett looks like the top early candidate to lead the backfield in touches again. Expect him to settle into RB2 range when our 2015 fantasy football rankings come out.

Ravens RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) has been placed on IR, ending his 2014 season.  The rookie flashed early on -- including 18-91-1 and 15-58-1 lines in Weeks 3 and 4 -- but faded down the stretch.  He finishes with a 4.3 yards-per-carry average.  With RB Justin Forsett approaching 30 and RB Bernard Pierce continuing to disappoint, Taliaferro will have a shot to earn a significant role this offseason.

Ravens RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (knee, ankle) is inactive for today’s game against the Jaguars. Bernard Pierce will serve as the #2 RB behind Justin Forsett but is unlikely to see more than a handful of carries.