The Ravens' already injury-ridden secondary faced another setback during Sunday's season-opening win over the Houston Texans by a unique 25-9 score.
Starting safety Marcus Williams exited the game in the second quarter with a left shoulder injury and did not return. This injury happened as Williams tackled Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins during a 14-yard pass from rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud just before halftime.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, there are concerns that Williams may have suffered a torn pectoral muscle, with an MRI scheduled to confirm the diagnosis on Monday.
Marcus Williams has full movement and the pain is limited, but it’s very swollen, source said. The MRI will tell the story. https://t.co/h2aC8INVeD
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 10, 2023
Williams, who signed a five-year, $70 million deal the previous offseason, is a pivotal player for the Ravens along with fellow injured defensive back Marlon Humphrey. Williams already missed seven games last year with a dislocated wrist. On Sunday, Williams remained on the field for a brief period before heading to the locker room for evaluation.
This potential injury would be a significant blow to the Ravens' defense, potentially sidelining him for an extended period spanning from weeks to months or, in a worst-case scenario, the entire season according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
In Williams' absence, Geno Stone took his place alongside safety Kyle Hamilton and he's the main reserve expected to step up and take on Williams' role if he is forced to miss more games going forward.
The Ravens might also consider promoting Daryl Worley from the practice squad to become the third active safety after he completed his transition to the position (from cornerback) through the summer.
Alternatively, they could explore moving Brandon Stephens back to safety, although Stephens performed well as a cornerback in the game against the Texans. Stephens' ball skills are terrible, but he can stick to the receiver he's covering like glue while limiting opposing wideouts to minimal yards-after-catch gainings.
Williams' injury adds further uncertainty to the Ravens' defense as they face a challenging schedule ahead, with several crucial games against AFC North opponents on the road. Good for the Flock, they started the season 1-0 along with the Cleveland Browns while both the Bengals and the Steelers started their campaigns with losses.