Ebony Bird
FanSided

Ravens Have No Incentive To Play Joe Flacco Vs. Colts

By Chris Schisler

Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Baltimore Ravens are set to have their second preseason battle on Saturday evening. On the docket for this exhibition game are the Indianapolis Colts. In this game, John Harbaugh has no incentive to play his starting quarterback.

According to reports Joe Flacco is not one hundred percent recovered from his knee injury. This is a preseason game. The score doesn’t matter. Even if Flacco’s knee felt brand new, the Ravens could not justify putting him on the field.

Related Story: Caution Is Baltimore Ravens Best Preseason Policy

The Ravens have made a commitment to play it cautious in the very young 2016 season. No players with injuries played last Thursday night. The Ravens cannot afford to gamble on their season before it even gets underway.

Here we have another example of the risks outweighing the benefits.  Flacco has looked sharp in practice. While you want him to get some work in before the regular season, what difference does an extra series or two really make? The offense around Flacco is not fully stocked with their starters. What is the point of rushing the franchise quarterback into the preseason action?

Flacco is a veteran quarterback. Therefore he knows the drill. He’s at the point of his career where the second game of the preseason is just a formality. Not suiting up in the third preseason game is a different conversation. That’s the dress rehearsal, the best preseason indicator of regular season success. The second preseason game is one that he can miss.

It all boils down to the pros and cons list. The pro to Flacco playing is singular. The benefit of getting in a live game situation with his teammates is alluring. The cons list is a little bit heavier. Flacco could What if his participation only hinders his full recovery or causes further injury? He’s practicing. That has to be enough for now.

Next: Ravens Fully Stocked With Underdog Running Backs

The Ravens fans want to see good old number five on the field. The preseason after all, is more exciting when the starters play more. After seeing the awful impact injuries can make, an uneventful preseason is a good preseason.

Home/Ravens News