Ravens: 4 players the team can’t afford to lose to injury in 2021
By Chris Cox
1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
How can you replace a recent NFL MVP with a 30-7 regular-season record? The answer — you can’t. Expecially not with a sixth-rounder and an undrafted free agent (unless, of course, that sixth-rounder’s name is Tom Brady).
That said, the Baltimore Ravens appear content with their sixth-rounder (Trace McSorley) and their UDFA (Tyler Huntley). Quarterbacks coach James Urban had the following to say about them.
"“I’m very comfortable with both Trace and Tyler. They both approach it the way you have to as a backup in this league; they approach it like they’re starters. That’s how they’re working, that’s how they prepare every day. I’m very comfortable with that.”"
That said, there’s a reason neither was drafted higher than the sixth round.
In his two-year career, McSorley has completed 3-of-10 passes for 90 yards and one touchdown. Huntley has completed 3-of-5 for 15 yards. Neither has won a game.
Lamar Jackson, on the other hand, has passed for over 7,000 yards and nearly 68 touchdowns. Over the past two seasons, he’s ranked first and seventh, respectively, in total quarterback rating.
If Jackson isn’t irreplaceable, he’s pretty darn close.
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If the 2021 Ravens avoid major injury issues, they have the ability to make a deep playoff run. If, on the other hand, Ronnie Stanley, Patrick Queen, Marlon Humphrey, or Lamar Jackson goes down, they could be in trouble.