3 Ravens players who need to get healthy over the bye week

For the first time in what feels like forever, the Baltimore Ravens are actually getting healthier. While the team was without numerous key players on Week 9, the Ravens are hoping to have a number of important standouts return to full health when they return from their bye week.

For a Ravens team that enters the bye with a 6-3 record along atop the AFC North, any additional reinforcements are much appreciated.

This is a Ravens squad that has seen their roster decimated by injuries in recent years. Take last season for example. The team lost the likes of Ronnie Stanley, Marcus Peters, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Marlon Humphrey, Lamar Jackson, and many others to significant injuries.

It’s certainly encouraging to see this Ravens team getting healthier. Let’s take a look at three players who the team hopes will return after the bye.

3. David Ojabo, OLB, Ravens

The Ravens officially activated rookie outside linebacker David Ojabo from the injured reserve last week as the second-round pick continues to work his way back from a torn Achilles.

Early estimates suggested that Ojabo could miss his entire rookie season, but the Ravens now expect him back in the very near future. In fact, it seems as though he’s on track to play in Week 11.

Ojabo was a full participant in practice last week but was still held out of last Monday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. The Ravens aren’t going to rush him, but if he’s healthy and up to speed, he’s going to play.

With Justin Houston playing out of his mind and Tyus Bowser now back in the fold, the Ravens are suddenly loaded with quality pass rushers, and Ojabo would add just another name to the list.

2. Gus Edwards, RB, Ravens

When Gus Edwards returned to the gridiron after more than a year away from the game, it was a moment to celebrate for both Edwards and Ravens fans. Unfortunately, he would tweak his hamstring in just his second game back.

Edwards missed the team’s Week 9 game against the Saints allowing Kenyan Drake to once again shoulder the backfield load. That said, it doesn’t sound like the Ravens expect Edwards to be out for long.

Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters earlier this week that the team expects to have Edwards back after the bye week. A one-game absence seems likely for the veteran running back.

How the Ravens’ backfield rotation shakes out remains to be seen, but the organization will certainly welcome Edwards back with open arms.

1. Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens

The most notable absence for the Ravens this past week was star tight end Mark Andrews. Andrews had never missed a game in his NFL career due to injury before Monday night’s game when he was held out with a shoulder injury.

It’s likely that Andrews could have played through the injury, but the Ravens wanted to make sure he was as healthy as possible coming out of the bye week. That should still be the plan.

In his place, rookie tight end Isaiah Likely shined and proved that he likely deserves to be a part of the offense moving forward, but there’s no replacing Mark Andrews.

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense will be happy to have their top target in the passing game back shortly, ideally as soon as Week 11.