Danny Woodhead

It was only two seasons ago that Javorius "Buck" Allen looked like the Ravens’ long-term answer as a third-down back. The 2015 fourth-round pick caught 45 passes for 353 yards and two touchdowns and added 514 rushing yards and a touchdown in 16 games as a rookie.

Danny Woodhead is now on IR, and for at least eight weeks, Allen get his shot once again.

“Buck has really good skills in the pass game and protection, too,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Friday. “Buck is definitely going to step up and get an opportunity. It’s his role. It’s his role to fill. I’m looking forward to seeing how he does.”

Related players: Terrance West, Danny Woodhead

Allen had 21 carries last week in a game the Ravens had well in hand in the second half, but Allen did not have any receptions. We can likely chalk that up to just game flow in a 20-0 win. That should change in weeks to come, and somebody has to catch passes on this team, after 300 targets did not return from last year and Woodhead was the team's leading pass catcher in Week 1 when he got hurt early. Consider Allen a low-end flex consideration in PPR leagues in Week 2.