The Baltimore Ravens offensive line has seen its fair share of shuffling this season, and that trend might continue even as starting left guard Andrew Vorhees nears his return from injury. After suffering a high-ankle sprain, Vorhees has missed the last two games, but the Ravens have thrived with a new-look offensive line during his absence. Now, as Vorhees prepares to rejoin the team, his starting job could be in jeopardy.
During Vorhees' time out, Baltimore moved Patrick Mekari from right tackle to left guard and inserted second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten at right tackle. The results have been stellar. Over the past two games, the Ravens' offense has only allowed two sacks and has exploded for 446 rushing yards. These performances have coincided with back-to-back wins, making it difficult for the coaching staff to consider changing what has clearly been working.
Head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged the challenge of reintegrating Vorhees into the lineup without disrupting the offensive line’s newfound chemistry.
John Harbaugh says Andrew Vorhees has a chance to play this week but "an object in motion stays in motion" meaning they could keep rolling with this offensive line configuration with it playing well.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) October 7, 2024
"Andrew will come back, maybe this week," Harbaugh said on Monday. "Three weeks with a high-ankle is about right, and gosh, you can't believe how hard he's working at it. It's amazing how tough he is. So, it will be good to have him back, but an object in motion tends to stay in motion." Harbaugh continued, "If we're doing well, we're probably going to try to keep that momentum going, with the addition and the opportunity to put guys in when and where we might be able to."
This speaks to the difficult balancing act Harbaugh and his coaching staff face. While Vorhees has clearly shown toughness and determination in his rehab, the Ravens’ offensive line has been a bright spot in recent weeks. Both Mekari and Rosengarten have stepped up to provide the stability the line desperately needed earlier in the season. General Manager Eric DeCosta knew there would be growing pains with this young offensive line, but the recent success has exceeded expectations.
Now, with Vorhees nearing a return, the Ravens must decide whether to disrupt a unit that’s playing its best football of the season. Baltimore’s offensive line struggled early in the year, but since Week 3, they have improved significantly in both pass protection and run blocking. Vorhees’ eventual return adds another layer of depth to a line that has found its stride, but Harbaugh’s comments suggest that the Ravens won’t rush to change a winning formula.
As Baltimore prepares for its matchup against the Washington Commanders, all eyes will be on the offensive line. Vorhees' return could bring more stability to an already improving group, but with the current lineup performing so well, Harbaugh and his staff may opt to stick with what’s working. Either way, the Ravens’ offensive line will remain a key factor in the team’s success as they continue their push for the playoffs.