Ravens’ Justice Hill ‘doing his thing’ alongside NFL’s leading rusher

Through four weeks, the Ravens own the NFL’s top rushing attack . Baltimore has gashed opposing defenses on the ground, averaging 220.3 rushing yards per game, including consecutive 270-plus yard performances.

While Derrick Henry has the lion’s share of those yards, fifth-year running back Justice Hill is also doing his part. Hill, who recently signed a two-year, $6 million contract extension, brings a different dimension to the Ravens’ backfield.

At 5 feet 10 and 195 pounds, Hill isn’t the physical bruiser that his 6-2, 247-pound counterpart is. However, Hill is a dynamic receiving threat who challenges opposing defenses with his shiftiness and explosiveness.

“He has improved as a player. He was a good player coming in, kind of a speed back,” coach John Harbaugh said. “You saw him as a third-down back. Nothing gets this guy down. There’s nothing that can break him. He just keeps coming in and he’s got a smile on his face. He works hard. A really smart person. Understands the game, understands the entire offense. You could probably line him up at every position and he’d know what to do for sure, every skill position at least. He probably knows the blocking schemes too.”

The former Oklahoma State standout showed off his smarts and speed Sunday night in prime-time with a team-high six receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown in a commanding 35-10 win over the Buffalo Bills. Sixty-six of those yards came after the catch, particularly effective on screens and swing passes.

“He’s explosive,” quarterback Lamar Jackson said of Hill. “I believe he showed it last year. He was showing glimpses of it last year, but this year, he’s just taking it to whole another level. I don’t know if it’s because he got paid or something, but he’s doing his thing right now. I’m loving it.”

With the Ravens ahead 14-3 in the second quarter, Hill showcased that dynamism. Lined up on Jackson’s right, he sprinted out of the backfield on a wheel route. Hill faked with a step inside and then quickly shifted outside, leaving Bills linebacker Dorian Williams in the dust for a 19-yard score.

“It was fun,” Hill said. “It was a good play. My teammates have seen me do that in practice, so it was nothing new to the guys. It was fun that it finally happened in a game.”

The veteran running back delivered in another critical situation later in the game with the Ravens ahead 21-10 in the third quarter. Facing a third-and-7 at the Bills’ 26-yard line, Hill caught a pass in the flat from Jackson and broke multiple tackles to keep the drive alive, setting up first-and-goal. One play later, Jackson sprinted in from 9 yards out.

Hill’s presence has been particularly valuable with running back Keaton Mitchell, who burst onto the scene last year with similar explosiveness, on injured reserve. Mitchell suffered a torn ACL in Week 15 last season and has not yet been activated from injured reserve. While he moves closer to returning, Hill has bolstered the Ravens’ big-play ability in the backfield with 14 carries for 76 yards and 18 catches for 161 yards. But he’s not satisfied.

“I want to grow in every aspect, not just one or two areas,” Hill said. “So, overall, I’ve just gotten better at running the ball, processing a little faster, slowing things down in my mind. Also, pass blocking and catching. So, I’ve improved at pretty much everything.”

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Jackson’s talent as a runner further compounds the challenge opposing defenses face in slowing down the Ravens’ run game. Henry and Hill’s complementary skill sets make his life easier as a quarterback. Defenses are forced to respect the versatile elements of the Ravens’ backfield.

It’s a challenge that cornerback Marlon Humphrey and the Ravens’ defense face in practice every day. It pushes them to get better, but as Humphrey said, “I see the nightmares that other teams face.”

Heading into their first divisional matchup in Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon, that versatility will be a key element against a banged-up Bengals defense.

“I can just put the ball in those guys hands and let those guys work,” Jackson said. “And then, when I have to throw the ball, I’ll work. Those guys help out with blocking as well, not just running the ball. Justice just had a touchdown catch. Derrick Henry just had a touchdown catch as well. So, they’re doing it all right now.”