Justin Forsett’s season ended unceremoniously due to a broken arm, but Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said the veteran running back is in the team’s plans for 2016.
“I would expect Justin back next year full-speed, ready to go,” Harbaugh said, according to ESPN’s Jamison Henley. “He’s under contract and a big part of what we’re doing going forward.”
During the offseason, Baltimore awarded Forsett a three-year contract worth $9 million as a response to his career-best campaign last year.
After spending five years as a backup, the 5-foot-8, 195-pounder thrived in the starting role. He amassed 1,266 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, adding 44 receptions for 263 yards.
While the 30-year-old wasn’t a standout player this year like he was in 2014, Forsett finished 2015 with 641 yards and two scores as well as 31 catches for 153 yards.
In each of the two recent drafts, the Ravens spent a fourth-round selection on a running back, grabbing Lorenzo Taliaferro and Buck Allen, respectively. Since Baltimore has hand-picked, young backups and could create cap room by cutting Forsett, his future wasn’t—and may still not be—perfectly clear.
Granted, Taliaferro is on injured reserve because of a foot ailment, so the Ravens still haven’t seen much from the Coastal Carolina product. Allen, who has put together an unremarkable yet decent rookie season, will step into the starting role.
Forsett might not lose his starting job or a place on the Ravens while sidelined, but Allen has a six-game opportunity to prove he needs regular snaps and touches next season.