The Baltimore Ravens’ defense is firing on all cylinders. They have put together a shocking turnaround, posting four straight games of allowing 19 points or less. Along the way, they have faced some talented offenses, including the Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings. The unit has helped the team rally with a three-game winning streak, putting them right back in the midst of the playoff race.
The Ravens got through last week’s practice unscathed, as all 53 players were healthy ahead of their Week 10 matchup against the Vikings. However, All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey did get banged up with a finger injury, and although he suited up in their win last Sunday, it was clear he was far from 100 percent.
Sure, he hauled in an interception and helped lock up Minnesota wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but his tackling ability took a hit. On Wednesday, Humphrey was absent from practice, and Head Coach John Harbaugh confirmed that the 29-year-old will not play this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
John Harbaugh confirms Marlon Humphrey will be unavailable on Sunday
While Humphrey has been fighting through the injury, Baltimore opted to make sure Humphrey can heal up and be 100 percent for their tough stretch in the coming weeks.
“[Humphrey] had his finger pinned,” Harbaugh said. “So Marlon won’t be playing in the game. He’ll be recovering, and then hopefully the next week he’ll be back.”
Week 11 will be the second game Humphrey has missed this year. After sustaining a calf injury in Baltimore’s Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, he missed the team’s Week 5 matchup with the Houston Texans. He returned in their Week 6 bout with the Rams, but was still dealing with the lingering injury effects.
Now, he will be out in a pivotal Week 11 clash. It might be the perfect game to miss, though. The recovery from Humphrey’s finger injury should not be too long, so missing the showdown in Cleveland, against a team that has struggled to get their passing attack rolling, might be the best opportunity to get him healthy.
In Humphrey’s place, cornerbacks Nate Wiggins and Chidobe Awuzie will continue to man the outside, and versatile safety Kyle Hamilton will still be used often as a slot corner. Undrafted rookie Keyon Martin should take on a more significant role, too, after playing eight snaps on defense in Minnesota.
Overall, Humphrey’s injury is a crushing blow for the Ravens, but they should be able to hold their own against the Browns.