The Baltimore Ravens kicked off their preseason on the right foot with a 24-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night. Many players were bright spots in the win, as Baltimore's deep roster was making plays all night long.
Of course, some players disappointed in their reps. Here are three winners and two losers from the Ravens’ preseason opener.
3 winners and 2 losers from Ravens' preseason win over the Colts
Winner: Ravens run game
Baltimore’s league-leading running game is getting even stronger. They accounted for 3,189 rushing yards in 2024, and more help is on the way. Keaton Mitchell looks fully recovered from his horrific injury in 2023, and second-year back Rasheen Ali has taken strides this offseason, and both flashed in the win.
Mitchell handled nine carries for 68 yards (7.6 yards per carry) and scored a touchdown. He looked faster than he was in 2024, and the ability to make players miss in the open field was back on full display. He also seemed even stronger, bouncing off several tackles and showcasing elite balance. He has nothing left to prove this preseason.
In Ali’s case, he needed to have a strong start to the preseason, and he did just that. He also had nine carries, running for 37 yards and a touchdown. While those numbers are not flashy, he showed off his speed as a kick returner. While Mitchell did not do much there, Ali returned one for 69 yards, which would eventually set up his later touchdown.
Winner: LaJohntay Wester
It took rookie wide receiver LaJohntay Wester no time to make noise in the preseason. He handled the majority of punt return duties throughout the night and made the most of it. The 23-year-old took one 87 yards to the house on his second chance, finishing the night with three returns for 104 yards. He flashed as a receiver, too.
While Baltimore’s passing offense was stagnant, Wester still found a way to be a star. He caught two balls for 41 yards, including an impressive 30-yard reception, where he used incredible ball-tracking and concentration to haul in an underthrown ball. With such a strong showing, Wester’s spot on the 53-man roster should be safe.
Winner: Jalyn Armour-Davis
Like the running back room, Baltimore’s defensive back unit is loaded. They could go four deep with reliable starters, and a few young corners could soon emerge. Jalyn Armour-Davis is one of those players.
Armour-Davis is headed into his fourth NFL season and is still just 25 years old. He has unfortunately only played in 19 games, largely due to various injuries he has faced. In Baltimore’s win over the Colts, Armour-Davis proved can be a dangerous piece when healthy.
The former Alabama standout used his great recovery speed to fly around the field and lock down opposing wide receivers in coverage. He also knocked away a couple of passes on the night, one of which almost resulted in an interception. Coaches have been praising him all offseason long, and the talent is there; he just needs to stay healthy.
Loser: Devin Leary
The quarterback situation looked horrific on Thursday night. Cooper Rush only threw four passes, completing two of them, but one ended in an ugly interception. In his case, he is guaranteed a spot, and given his track record during his time with the Dallas Cowboys, he should take care of Baltimore's backup job.
However, second-year quarterback Devin Leary is in trouble. He got cut following last year’s preseason showing, and he started 2025 off on the wrong foot again. It was already almost a guarantee he would not feature on the roster come the regular season, but he is fighting for his career at this point.
He finished the game 3/12 for 46 yards and an interception. His timing was off all night, and he was underthrowing receivers on nearly every attempt. He landed with the Ravens’ practice squad last season, but he might not even earn that spot this year.
Loser: Daniel Faalele
Coming off a Pro Bowl alternate season, a lot is expected out of Daniel Faalele in 2025. The Ravens need him to take a jump and lead the offensive guard group after losing Patrick Mekari in free agency. He did not show that in preseason action against Indianapolis.
Faalele got run over by Colts defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore for one of Indianapolis’ two sacks on the night. It was not a pretty sight to see one of the biggest players in the NFL get bodied like that, and the Ravens simply need more from him. With Andrew Vorhees and Ben Cleveland having solid nights, Faalele could quickly find himself in hot water.