Injuries have been the story for the Baltimore Ravens this offseason. Fifteen players were absent from practice today.
If I had a dollar for every time the Baltimore Ravens had an injury, I’d be a rich man. Along with many of the positives we’ve seen this offseason, injuries have been a major story line.
Thirteen players missed practice yesterday and none returned today. That number got even higher today when Jeff Zrebiec reported that Michael Campanaro and Albert McClellan were no-shows.
Three Ravens returned to practice today - Adeboyejo, Tim Williams and Robertson Daniel - but 13 still missing.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 23, 2017
None of injured players returned to practice today. Two new absences: WR Michael Campanaro, LB Albert McClellan
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 24, 2017
That’s a total of 15 players absent from practice.
I am legitimately concerned heading into week one of the regular season. There are still many big names who have been absent from practice. This list includes Joe Flacco, Breshad Perriman, Danny Woodhead, Ronnie Stanley and Marlon Humphrey.
A common theme with the majority of this list? They play on the offense.
It’s very likely we won’t see any of these players on the field during the last two games of the preseason. John Harbaugh isn’t going to risk the chance of a player reaggravating an injury, especially when it’s something like a hamstring or back. Those injuries vary case to case and don’t have a definite timetable.
With a lot of these injuries the team really hasn’t given much clarity. Part of me worries that it will be another Alex Lewis situation where a season-ending injury comes out of no where. With how much this offense has struggled, that’s the last thing the Ravens need.
The Bottom Line
We’ve talked time and time again how great the Ravens defense is expected to be this season. It’s early, but so far they are showing good signs. They are physical, versatile and deep.
But the defense isn’t where I am worried about, it’s the offense. Worst case scenario is Flacco, Stanley, Woodhead, and Perriman are all out week one. Out of those four, Flacco and Stanley are the ones to keep an eye out for. The Ravens can suffice without Woodhead and Perriman for now, but the other two need to be playing against the Bengals.
Next: Top 6 Ravens players most vital to a successful season
Like I’ve said, this defense can be as good as we’ve ever seen, but it doesn’t mean squat if the offense goes three-and-out almost every drive.