Baltimore Ravens: Hayden Hurst injured and what it could mean
By Cory Hughes
What Hayden Hurst’s injury could mean for the 53-man roster:
With Hurst being out for the first quarter of the season, now the big question is: What does that mean for the 53-man roster? And what will John Harbaugh do when it comes time for roster cuts?
The first thing that came to my mind was even though this is bad news for the team, it’s good news for Maxx Williams and Darren Waller. Waller is coming off a year long suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Meanwhile, Williams hasn’t been able to stay on the field due to his injuries. But even when Williams has been on the field, his performances haven’t given us much to write home about.
Over the course of three years, Williams has only brought in 47 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns. For a second round pick, who the organization had high hopes for, that just isn’t enough over three seasons. Waller, meanwhile, only has 12 receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
It’s fair to say that the tight ends out of the 2015 draft class just haven’t lived up to expectations the team had for them, this also includes Nick Boyle. With Hurst’s injury, however, it could give them all one final chance.
This injury is tough because who knows how many tight ends they actually plan on keeping. And this position might be the biggest headache for Ravens brass. Do they keep five-to-six tight ends? Hayden Hurst, Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle, Darren Waller, Maxx Williams, Vince Mayle… Put Nick Keizer on the practice squad in case another injury occurs? It’s going to be interesting how the roster cuts at this position play out when its time to construct the 53-man roster.
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Injuries have haunted this team for the past three seasons. But in hindsight, three-to-four weeks isn’t bad compared to what this team has had to deal with over the course of three-years. Being without the team’s 2018 first round pick does suck, but it looks like Hurst will be back during the most important run during the 2018 season. So, don’t panic, Ravens Flock… at least not yet.