The Baltimore Ravens have a must-win game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they’ll have to do it without one of their best defensive players:
The Baltimore Ravens have had their fair share of injuries this season. The memory of the 2015 season is creeping up in the backs of our minds. While it’s not time to panic and this year’s team is more equipped to deal with it, the sheer number of injuries for the Ravens is all too reminiscent.
The Ravens did sweep the Steelers that season, so maybe the injuries aren’t the end of the world this week. Hey, you have to stay on the positive side (however forced it may be). Other than the players that we won’t see for a long-time or the rest of the year (Marshall Yanda, Danny Woodhead, Brent Urban) let’s take a look at the three players listed as out.
Out:
- Brandon Williams
- Maxx Williams
- Jaylen Hill
The injuries of Maxx Williams and Hill shouldn’t be a problem in this game. The Ravens have gotten next to nothing from the tight end position. This isn’t going to hurt the offense. It’s the other Williams who the Ravens are going to miss the most in this game. Without Brandon Williams the Ravens defensive line has it’s hands full in the task of stopping Le’Veon Bell. Carl Davis figures to be the main replacement for number 98.
Questionable:
- Ben Watson
The Ravens really need Watson to play this game. Watson has 11 grabs for 103 yards and a touchdown this season. These may not be off the charts numbers, but compared to several of the Ravens’ top targets that is awesome.
Terrell Suggs did not practice on Friday, but it is assumed that number 55 will play. The reason he missed practice was listed as NIR (Non Injury Related). Besides there is no way Suggs would miss a game against Ben Roethlisberger.
Next: Ravens host Steelers in week 4 clash: 3 big things
When the Ravens play the Steelers there is only one injury that really changes things. Le’Veon Bell has had a relatively quiet start to the season. Brandon Williams being out of the action could give him a chance to get things going. Players need to step up in the front seven. The key to this game for the Ravens, is keeping Bell in check. That way they can aggressively get after Ben Roethlisberger and hopefully get back to taking the football away.