Baltimore Ravens Have Concerning Injuries Stacking Up
By Hassan Zakai
The Baltimore Ravens have managed to remain relatively healthy through the first quarter of the season, but that all changed after Sunday’s loss to the Washington Redskins.
Starters Steve Smith Sr., Elvis Dumervil, Marshal Yanda, Mike Wallace, Rick Wagner, C.J Mosley, and Ronnie Stanley are all nursing injuries. This is bad timing. The Ravens are heading into the critical Week 6 match up with the Giants. That doesn’t even include Maxx Williams, Sheldon Price, and Maurice Canady whom the team has placed on IR.
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Being without Yanda, Stanley, and Wagner would be a devastating blow to the offensive line. The Ravens will already be with a new play-caller in a hostile road environment. The team recently resigned guard Vladimir Ducasse, who was with them in the offseason. They also claimed swing tackle Billy Turner from the Dolphins. That tells you how concerned they are with their starters on the O-line missing time.
If Steve Smith Sr. and Mike Wallace can’t go, then the Ravens have good depth to make up for the losses. However, Smith Sr. is a money receiver on third down. That was sorely missed late in the game against the Redskins. Wallace seems like he will be okay for Sunday, but with rib injuries you can never be too sure. I expect Breshad Perriman to break out in Marty Mornhinweg’s offense and should have opportunities against the Giants’ injured secondary.
On the defensive side, Elvis Dumervil is obviously still injured and doesn’t look like himself. C.J Mosley is the signal caller and if he misses time, the team will be in a dangerously weak position at inside linebacker. Veteran Albert McClellan and rookie Kamalei Correa will have to step up in Mosley’s absence. However, the fans should feel more confident in the unit this week. The Giants don’t have much of a running game, and the secondary has been good enough to win.
In order to stay alive for the playoff race, the Ravens absolutely need to win at least one of the next two games. Winning both games before the bye week would put the team in great position leading into a tough second half of the season. The Steelers look dangerous. If the Ravens falter in the coming games, we can kiss the playoffs goodbye.
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However, the Ravens often play their best when their back is against the wall. The team thrives in succeeding in games that no one thought they would win. We’ll just have to hope that the rejuvenated running game and strong defense can carry us to a win, and hey if Mornhinwheg can dial up a few big plays that would help tremendously. When in doubt, the next man up has to get the job done.