OWINGS MILLS, Md. — A year after leading Lamar Jackson’s MVP campaign with the mantra “Big Truss,” running back Mark Ingram was waived by the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday.
Ingram, 31, was a healthy scratch for four of the Ravens’ final five contests this season, including both playoff games. The Ravens will create $5 million in salary-cap room by releasing the 10-year veteran.
A Pro Bowl player in 2019, Ingram didn’t have the same explosiveness this campaign, and he was slowly phased out of the Ravens’ game plan, finishing with a career-low 72 carries. Baltimore ended up with the No. 1 rushing attack in the NFL by relying on rookie J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards.
Ingram said his goodbye to the Ravens via social media on Monday, calling the team “a first class organization.”
Ingram posted on Twitter: “I love the real ones in flock nation that supported me and showed luv! My blood brothers, whats understood Ain gotta be explained. Best is still ahead, cant wait! Watch God work. #GodWins #BigTrussForever.”
Thank you Mr.Bisciotti and the Ravens for being a first class organization. I love the real ones in flock nation that supported me and showed luv! My blood brothers, whats understood Ain gotta be explained. Best is still ahead, cant wait! Watch God work.#GodWins #BigTrussForever pic.twitter.com/Hx0GZrSIrz
— Mark Ingram II (@markingram21) January 19, 2021
Ingram, a first-round pick by the Saints in 2011, spent his first eight seasons in New Orleans and reached the Pro Bowl in 2014 and ’17. He signed a three-year, $15 million deal with Baltimore in 2019, immediately injecting high energy and leadership into the locker room.
Ingram gained 1,018 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in his first season with the Ravens, championing Jackson’s run for NFL MVP by exclaiming, “Big Truss!” in postgame news conferences. Teammates have explained that “Big Truss” means trust and faith, a phrase that says, “Got your back.”
In 2020, Ingram lost his starting job midway through the season and continued to mentor Dobbins, the player who replaced him.
“Mark is an unbelievable guy — a big brother to me,” Dobbins said at the end of the regular season. “He still texts me every day. He’s still happy for me every day. He actually helped me with the process, teaching me things to do to help me be mentally prepared, to stay locked in. He’s just an amazing guy.”
Ingram was scheduled to earn $5 million in 2021, the final year of his contract.
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