Deep into the NFL season, injuries quickly become a part of the game. Players get beaten up week in and week out, and teams’ depth is tested in the most crucial stretch. Entering Week 16, the Baltimore Ravens need to lean on their depth.
Baltimore’s injury report has been lengthy this week. While most stars like quarterback Lamar Jackson, left tackle Ronnie Stanley, and linebacker Roquan are trending toward playing on Sunday, the same cannot be said for a couple of other key starters.
Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is the most notable starter still dealing with an injury following Thursday’s practice. He missed Wednesday’s and Thursday’s activities with a foot injury. He could still have time to be ready for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots, but one key defender out for the rest of the year is rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan.
Buchanan tore his ACL in the first quarter of the team’s Week 15 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Third-year linebacker Trenton Simpson is set to take over that starting role. The Ravens undoubtedly need depth at the position, though, and they could soon get that in the form of undrafted rookie linebacker Jay Higgins.
Jay Higgins nearing timely return
Higgins returned to practice on Wednesday and has been a limited participant in both outings this week. He has been on injured reserve since Week 10, when he suffered a serious knee injury in Baltimore’s win over the Minnesota Vikings. Now, he is getting back into football shape at a time when the Ravens desperately need linebacker depth.
Higgins has yet to log a defensive snap in his NFL career. However, he has been a staple on special teams. He is a factor in the coverage and return teams, and with Buchanan out, he could have a distant chance to see some sporadic opportunities with Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s defense.
Veteran linebacker and special teams ace Jake Hummel will most likely receive the rotational linebacker reps if the moment calls for it, but even then, Orr could look to the versatility of safeties Kyle Hamilton and Alohi Gilman in such situations.
Higgins was a fan favorite throughout the preseason. He was named to Pro Football Focus’s all-rookie team following a standout showing. With that, he forced his way onto the initial 53-man roster, making the team as the fifth linebacker.
This late in the 2025 campaign, it would be a shock if the Ravens gave Higgins reps on defense. In their final three-game stretch, they need to play near-flawless football. They cannot allow an inexperienced rookie to play a factor on defense.
However, Higgins will become an immediate piece of the special teams once he returns. Buchanan also had a role on special teams, so Higgins’ eventual return comes as more than just linebacker depth, but a significant starter on special teams.