The Baltimore Ravens had high expectations heading into the 2025 season. However, through four games, they are off to just a 1-3 start for the first time since 2015. Sunday's 37-20 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs was a disappointing outcome and a poor showing on both ends of the field. To make matters worse, an already depleted Ravens team suffered even more injuries on both sides of the ball.
On Sunday, Roquan Smith (hamstring), Marlon Humphrey (calf), and Nate Wiggins (elbow) joined Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Kyle Van Noy, and Broderick Washington, making it seven injured Ravens on defense. Furthermore, Ronnie Stanley re-aggravated an ankle injury, and most concerningly, Lamar Jackson left the game with a hamstring injury. All in all, 10 starters are now dealing with injuries.
This puts the Ravens in a similar spot to their last 1-3 start back in 2015. During the 2015 campaign, the Ravens had high hopes following a 10-6 season. However, they lost five key starters to injury and posted just a 5-11 record. Dennis Pitta (all 16 games), Terrell Suggs (15 games), Steve Smith Sr. (7 games), Joe Flacco (6 games), and Justin Forsett (6 games) all missed significant portions of the season. With the injuries mounting up, the 2015 and 2025 seasons could mirror each other in the worst possible way.
The last time the Ravens were 1-3, it was the 2015 season. They finished 5-11 that year. That was the season where Terrell Suggs, Joe Flacco, Steve Smith Sr., Justin Forsett and Dennis Pitta were among those to miss all or chunks of the season with injuries.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 28, 2025
The Ravens can't afford injuries to key players
After Madubuike was placed on IR and Van Noy missed his second game, injury concerns were already real for a Ravens team that entered Sunday with the league's worst defense. Now, with Smith, Wiggins, and Humphrey all possibly missing time, these concerns become even more significant.
Giving up 382 yards against a Chiefs team that has struggled early on further adds to the concern about the Ravens' defense.
Yes, Smith and Humphrey have struggled so far, but they have historically been two of the team's best defensive players. Their presence is vital to right the ship. Plus, Wiggins has undoubtedly been a positive contributor despite the team's defensive struggles. As the Ravens' defense struggled mightily even when healthy, it's unlikely this will change with injuries piling up.
Of course, Jackson's injury is the most worrying for Ravens fans. Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky, and while the Ravens were already down double digits when Jackson exited the game, it's somewhat telling he couldn't return. Even if Jackson only misses a few games, the Ravens likely won't be able to survive his absence as the team tries to salvage the season.
Considering how poorly the defense has played this season and how well the offense has (other than the Kansas City game), Jackson being healthy has never been more crucial. Stanley's injury is also a severe concern for a Ravens team that has allowed 15 sacks. The Notre Dame product is the Ravens' most experienced lineman, and he has been a rare bright spot for the team this season.
During his post-game press conference, John Harbaugh said he didn't know the severity of any of these injuries but noted they don't appear to be season-ending. Harbaugh's comments offer some level of hope for Ravens fans. However, the panic level should still be high in Baltimore, and a disastrous injury-riddled season like in 2015 seems to be possible.