The Baltimore Ravens and their fans were left holding their breath last Thursday when star safety Kyle Hamilton went down with an ankle injury during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Initially, the injury looked bad - a non-contact situation where Hamilton fell to the turf, frustration visible as he punched the ground. Even though he managed to walk off without assistance, the sight of Hamilton returning to the sideline in a boot left fans fearing the worst. The Ravens' secondary, already thinned by previous injuries, could hardly afford to lose Hamilton, arguably their most valuable defender.
Fortunately, early reports suggest that Baltimore may have dodged a bullet here. Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh addressed Hamilton's status in the days following the game, confirming that the injury was indeed a sprained ankle but clarifying it was "not a serious ankle" injury. With the extra days off, Hamilton has been able to focus on recovery, and the team is optimistic about his chances of a quick return. Harbaugh didn’t rule him out for the upcoming critical AFC North showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers, boosting a Baltimore defense counting on Hamilton’s presence for a deep playoff push.
As of Monday, Hamilton has been receiving intensive treatment, and while the team remains cautious, the signs point to this not being a long-term setback.
If anything, this scare underlines just how crucial Hamilton is to Baltimore's defense, especially with the Ravens eyeing a divisional crown in the tightly contested AFC North.
Baltimore Ravens and Kyle Hamilton avoid catastrophic news with ankle injury update
This ankle sprain could have easily spelled disaster for a Baltimore secondary that's been one of the worst units in the league.
The 2023 All-Pro safety has not only put up numbers (71 tackles, seven passes defended, two sacks, and a forced fumble) but has also been the core of Baltimore’s coverage schemes. Losing him, even for a short period, would force the Ravens to dig deep into their secondary depth, a shaky proposition given recent struggles in pass defense.
Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase scored touchdowns of 67 and 70 yards, both of which occurred when the All-Pro safety was sidelined.
Baltimore’s relief is palpable, especially given that Hamilton’s injury occurred in a non-contact moment - a scenario that often signals a severe ligament injury. Hamilton's swift trip back to the sideline in a boot had fans fearing a prolonged absence, and understandably so. However, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the tests brought some much-needed good news, reinforcing that Baltimore avoided a worst-case scenario here.
Tests on #Ravens star Kyle Hamilton’s ankle came out as positive as could be hoped, source said. (The positive that’s good, not the positive that’s bad).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 8, 2024
Excellent news moving forward. https://t.co/3DXFsisQJx
Hamilton’s quick return to the field remains uncertain, but the Ravens’ decision to keep him day-to-day shows confidence in a relatively short recovery.
Looking ahead, the Ravens have to weigh Hamilton’s availability against the risk of rushing him back too soon. With Marcus Williams, Eddie Jackson, and Ar'Darius Washington all tasked with covering the safety position in Hamilton's absence, a lot is riding on their performance should he miss time.
Yet, knowing that Hamilton could be back soon is a huge sigh of relief for the Ravens’ defense and their fans, as the team prepares for one of the most important stretches of the season.