The Baltimore Ravens have a guard competition emerging for Week 8. Andrew Vorhees and Emery Jones Jr. are battling for a possible starting job on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
With Vega Ioane dealing with an MCL sprain, he’s expected to miss time. Jesse Minter didn’t confirm whether he’d be out Sunday, but he did say the right guard spot is open for business if Ioane can’t play.
“I think [the battle for the right guard spot] is open,” Minter said. “We’ll see where it’s at with [Vega]. If there’s anybody who can do something crazy and overcome things, he’s got the right mentality … We’ll put the best guy out there that we feel gives us the best opportunity for this particular game.”
Vorhees missed the last three games with a foot injury, but he is now fully healthy. He’ll be back in the mix, looking to fight back into the rotation against Jones. With the Ioane uncertainty, it’s something to monitor.
Baltimore Ravens need Andrew Vorhees or Emery Jones Jr. to step up
All year, it’s felt like the Ravens have waited for either Andrew Vorhees or Emery Jones Jr. to emerge. And after losing both their centers in Week 3, that task became even more crucial. Neither has completely separated themselves — both are struggling.
If anything, Vorhees may have the edge. He was active over Jones in the season opener, and while Jones saw heavy snaps from Week 5 to Week 7, that was mostly due to Vorhees’ injury.
And unfortunately for Jones, he didn’t impress in those three games. He was a liability in pass protection, and couldn’t create lanes in the run game. His 41.8 overall grade (73rd/74), 44.2 pass-blocking grade (62nd), and 44.1 run-blocking grade (70th), per Pro Football Focus, scream someone unprepared for the NFL.
His inexperience has leaked through the cracks, and the game looks to be moving too fast for him at some points.
On the other hand, Vorhees was a disaster in 2025 — there’s a reason Baltimore signed John Simpson and Vega Ioane. He wasn’t the guy the team or fans wanted to see back in a starting spot in 2026. The 27-year-old allowed pressure after pressure and wasn’t much of a game-changer in the run game.
Admittedly, Vorhees is playing better this year. That’s not hard to do, but he’s definitely flashed as a decent blocker. His 61.8 pass-blocking grade, per PFF, is solid enough for a backup, although it may not hold up with more snaps.
Vorhees also held his own against the Tennessee Titans before going down with a foot injury. In his matchups with four-time Pro Bowler Jeffrey Simmons, he won the battle.
Andrew Vorhees had held his own in pass pro vs. Jeffrey Simmons before that foot injury, per @SumerSports.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) October 4, 2026
Bunch of double teams, but Ravens will need Emery Jones to step up. pic.twitter.com/M9QRKFXpWT
Experience could be the X-factor, too. Whoever starts at guard won’t have a fun time across from the Bills’ defensive front. Buffalo nose tackle Deone Walker is ready to push the Ravens’ interior offensive line to their breaking point.
With Lamar Jackson also nearing a return from his high ankle sprain, you need someone more trustworthy to keep him upright. Sure, Jones might have the higher ceiling, but he looks miles behind anyone on the offensive line right now. That might give Vorhees the go-ahead.
Between the two, you’re probably splitting hairs. They’re not necessarily good football players. However, with Ioane injured, you have to pick one. Someone needs to step up and take the job.
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