The Baltimore Ravens are optimistic about Ronnie Stanley’s chances of playing in Week 1, but they’re equally cautious, too.
Stanley came off the PUP list last Friday but didn’t suit up for practice on Monday, leading some to speculate on the left tackle’s health status.
With less than two weeks to go until the start of the season, Baltimore would obviously like to see Stanley back in the starting lineup as soon as possible, but the team also wants to avoid a repeat of last year’s disaster.
The All-Pro tackle hadn’t fully recovered from an ankle injury he suffered in 2020, and after featuring in the Ravens’ season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, Stanley announced he would undergo a second season-ending surgery.
Head coach John Harbaugh recently spoke to reporters about the possibility of Stanley playing at the start of the season this time around.
"I think there's a chance."
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 29, 2022
Coach Harbaugh on if Ronnie Stanley could play week one: pic.twitter.com/IcusIIzICk
Baltimore Ravens are exercising extreme caution with left tackle Ronnie Stanley
Harbaugh refused to comment on the percentage of the chance Stanley would play in Week 1 due to “strategic reasons,” but given Stanley’s injury history, it may be lower than fans have hoped for.
If Stanley isn’t ready to go, the Ravens have a few different routes they could take: they could play Ja’Wuan James or Davis Sharpe at left tackle, though neither has proven to be consistent starting-caliber options.
The ever-versatile Patrick Mekari can also fill in for snaps at the position, but the Ravens may want to keep him around in case of emergency, rather than start him on the left side.
The Ravens still have time to add offensive line depth if need be and will likely be considering all their options come Week 1.
The team no doubt hopes for the best in Stanley’s dominant return in 2022 yet also needs to prepare for the worst.