The Baltimore Ravens rookie linebacker may start for the first time
The thought all year was that Baltimore Ravens rookie Trenton Simpson would spend a year behind Patrick Queen, and then next year he would be involved in the defense as the Queen replacement. However, when he failed to beat out Del’Shawn Phillips as the backup to Queen in the preseason, it did cause some concern.
Still, with Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith both expected to have their snaps limited, the Ravens may be starting both Phillips and Simpson. This is a big game for Simpson.
Simpson was also banged up in the preseason, so this is a good chance to at least show he brings more potential than Phillips, who is a journeyman in the NFL.
If Simpson struggles after a year of learning and full health, can the Ravens trust him to start next year? At the same time, if he plays well, he may have locked down a starting job or at least cooled off the Ravens' desire to replace him this offseason.