Baltimore Ravens: Injuries May Cause Slow Start For Offense
The Baltimore Ravens are thin at the wide receiver position because of injuries. Will the offense get off to a slow start?
The Ravens offense has been under equipped so far in this training camp. They’re waiting on the return of Steve Smith Sr. who probably won’t play until the regular season. The Ravens are waiting to finally get a real first impression of Breshad Perriman. Chris Moore, who has impressed has missed some practice time with a minor injury.
Things are not much better off at the tight end position. Dennis Pitta sprained his finger in a fight with Kamalei Correa, this past Monday. Crockett Gillmore has had a hamstring injury holding him out of practice. Ben Watson has even missed a little bit of practice time. Jeff Zerbiec of the Baltimore Sun just reported that Maxx Williams left practice today. Joe Flacco made it back from his injury for training camp, and many of his weapons are sidelined.
This could mean a slow start for the Ravens offense. Hopefully they can get the kinks out before week one of the regular season, but it will be tough. Baltimore is still counting on Smith Sr. to be a big part of the offense. Without the veteran receiver, we won’t get a real look at the Ravens offense. This puts a shadow of question marks over the practice field.
More from Ebony Bird
- Will Baltimore Ravens be rewarded for risky Lamar Jackson decision?
- The Baltimore Ravens Big Gamble
- Ravens Super Bowl odds present fascinating insight on Lamar Jackson’s future
- Should Baltimore Ravens be interested in this recently released WR
- Do the Baltimore Ravens have serious interest in this free agent wide out?
If you’re keeping score at home, you may wonder who Flacco has to throw to. Flacco and the offense are leaning on their running backs and tight ends. There are two silver linings to the troubling absences from practice. First the Ravens get a chance to focus on the competition at the running back and tight end positions. Secondly Kamar Aiken and Mike Wallace get a chance to strengthen their connection with number five.
The place the Ravens cannot have injuries is the offensive line. Ronnie Stanley left Saturday’s open practice with a soft tissue injury. It is a minor injury. The Ravens need the offensive line to be at full strength. Stanley needs to be prepared for the regular season. If he thinks practice is fast, just wait until he sees Jerry Hughes coming at him in week one. It may end up being no big deal, but if Stanley misses time in the preseason, that would be alarming.
The Ravens offense needs to get off to a fast start this season. There has to be a sense of urgency with the Ravens because the first half of their schedule is significantly easier than the second half. The purple and black need to crank out as many wins as they can against the easier portion of their schedule.
Next: 3 Observations From Ravens Open Practice
There are three things that really count in the NFL. Preparation, continuity and confidence. How can they prepare if they have key pieces missing? How can they have continuity when star players like Smith Sr. will jump into the action right when it starts to count? How can they have confidence if they are unprepared and not gelled? If the Ravens offense is going to have success they must lean on the run game, utilize the tight ends and develop confidence is their receiving corps. The only thing we can do now, is wait and see.