Tim White’s Injury may open door more for Keenan Reynolds
The Baltimore Ravens injuries keep coming. Every injury creates opportunity for other players. The season ending injury to Tim White could help Keenan Reynolds make the team:
Keenan Reynolds had a 46 yard punt return in the Ravens first preseason game. It was his first play of note in his second preseason. Reynolds still hasn’t made his mark on a game as a receiver. With one less receiver to contend with, the former Navy star could have a chance to make some plays against the Miami Dolphins, this Thursday.
This is the nature of injuries in the NFL. As frustrating and sad as it is for the Ravens to lose the promise of White, it would be equally rewarding to see Reynolds blossom. White was an undrafted free agent from Arizona State who had the ability to generate big plays. He caught a long touchdown pass in the first preseason game. White’s injury is disheartening and there is no other way to say it.
Roster Battle Math:
Everything has an affect though, and in this case Reynolds sees his stock rise. White was a slightly undersized receiver with great athleticism and kick return ability. In other words, White is just another version of what Reynolds can provide, a flashier version at that. Remember, Campanaro is in this same kind of mold. Baltimore likes all three players, but they weren’t going to hold on to three men who can do the same thing.
Now we can start to do the roster battle math. Jeremy Maclin, Breshad Perriman and Mike Wallace make three. Chris Moore, who is a special teams stud if nothing else, is four. Campanaro is five and Quincy Adeboyejo should be six. If the Ravens keep seven wide receivers, Reynolds would be the most likely be the last man in the rotation. That being said we cannot count out Chris Matthews this early into the preseason because of his big frame.
Reynolds has to do what all players in his position have to do; he has to make it impossible to cut him. He has to earn snaps with the offense. Catching passes, returning kicks and being a gunner on special teams units, it’s all part of the deal. For Reynolds to make the team, he needs to be a jack of all trades that the Ravens can’t live without.
The Bottom Line:
It would be a heartwarming story for one of the greatest stars ever to play in Annapolis, became a star in Baltimore. Right now, Reynolds can forget about stardom. He has to prove that he belongs on the 53 man roster.
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White was turning a lot of heads throughout training camp. It’s hard to imagine that White wasn’t ahead of Reynolds. If White hadn’t gotten hurt, he probably would have made the team. White making the team would have been the main hindrance to Reynolds path. Reynolds still has a long way to go, but he now fits into the roster math a little better.