The final sport of preseason has by no means been a showcase for established gamers, and it could be a shock if Ravens coach John Harbaugh makes use of greater than two or three potential starters Saturday evening when his workforce hosts the Washington Commanders.
Harbaugh has taken a cautious method to this preseason, maybe pushed by the reminiscence of working again J.Okay. Dobbins tearing his ACL final August in opposition to Washington. We haven’t seen quarterback Lamar Jackson or many of the workforce’s different established starters within the Ravens’ matchups with the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals. Harbaugh mentioned we might “extrapolate” his plan for the Commanders sport based mostly on that sample.
So the Ravens will go for his or her twenty third straight preseason victory with a crew of gamers combating for scraps of regular-season time or, in some instances, a spot on the workforce’s follow squad. Harbaugh and his workers will reduce the roster from 80 gamers to 53 by Tuesday afternoon, and although most of their selections have been made way back, a optimistic closing impression by no means hurts. There are place teams the place the pecking order shouldn’t be set and gamers who’ve but to make a powerful impression, in some instances due to harm.
As we kind via the enterprise nonetheless to be resolved, listed here are some gamers to regulate in opposition to the Commanders:
WR Tylan Wallace
Wallace was the presumed No. 4 receiver coming into coaching camp, however he bought off to a poor begin, and his quest to nail down that spot was derailed by a knee sprain suffered within the preseason opener in opposition to the Titans. His place grew extra tenuous when the Ravens added former Kansas City Chiefs broad receiver Demarcus Robinson, whom Harbaugh praised as a “big, strong receiver with very strong hands.” The Ravens gave Robinson $900,000 assured, which implies he’s virtually definitely going to be on the workforce.
Wallace returned to follow Tuesday; we have no idea how a lot his knee sprain may restrict him going into Saturday’s sport. The 2021 fourth-round choose might be not at risk of being reduce, however he could possibly be at risk of falling out of sight, out of thoughts if Robinson, who will play in opposition to the Commanders, performs properly. Wallace might use a breakout sport to place his disappointing summer time within the rearview mirror and assert his case for a significant position.
RB Justice Hill
We most likely received’t see Dobbins till Week 1 on the earliest. Mike Davis began the primary two preseason video games and appears a secure guess to play early within the season. Sixth-round choose Tyler Badie has completed sufficient to stay. That leaves Hill, who earned sturdy critiques for his play early in coaching camp after he labored onerous to come back again from a torn Achilles tendon. The 2019 fourth-round choose has not constructed on that promising begin with spectacular preseason numbers — holding penalties value him 20 yards in opposition to the Titans — and he’s had a scarcity of alternative (eight carries over two video games).
Have the Ravens steered away from utilizing Hill as a result of they already know what he can do? Or is he not a precedence of their offense, even with Dobbins sidelined? It will likely be fascinating to see if he performs a higher position in opposition to Washington and if that portends the Ravens retaining 4 working backs to start out the season.
G Tyre Phillips
The everlasting battle to start out at left guard rages on, with coaches saying Ben Powers holds a slight benefit due to his consistency. But Phillips really began on the left facet in opposition to the Cardinals, with Powers beginning at proper guard earlier than he performed a collection because the backup heart. That advised the matter is way from settled.
Phillips has not helped himself in both preseason sport. He bore partial duty for a number of pressures and a pair of sacks in opposition to the Titans and dedicated three penalties in opposition to the Cardinals. Coaches need to give him the advantage of the doubt due to his dimension and agility, however they’ve realized to belief Powers extra. Phillips wants to vary their minds, and he’ll seemingly have ample snaps to make his case in opposition to Washington.
WRs Shemar Bridges and Makai Polk
Both undrafted free brokers constructed momentum with glorious performances within the first preseason sport. Neither carried out as properly in opposition to the Cardinals (two catches mixed for 27 yards), and now, Robinson and Wallace stand of their approach.
Bridges and Polk might see loads of targets in opposition to the Commanders, most likely from third-string quarterback Anthony Brown, who will likely be auditioning for a spot on the follow squad. Their probabilities of making the 53-man roster are most likely gone, however they’re each tall receivers who might make intriguing developmental prospects.
ILB Josh Ross
The undrafted free agent from Michigan has performed his approach into the roster image, rating as the highest graded rookie of the preseason, in response to Pro Football Focus. He has drawn specific reward for his go protection, a weak spot for the workforce’s inside linebackers in current seasons, and leads the Ravens with 9 tackles.
Ross ranks behind Patrick Queen, Josh Bynes and Malik Harrison on the depth chart at inside linebacker, however don’t be shocked if he beats out Kristian Welch for the No. 4 spot. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is a giant fan from their time collectively at Michigan, and Harbaugh famous that Ross has “shown up in games.” He will most likely play early and sometimes in opposition to Washington as he tries to make his closing argument. Expect to see him on the Ravens’ follow squad if he doesn’t make their 53-man roster.
DT Isaiah Mack
Mack bulled his approach into the Cardinals’ backfield a number of instances within the second preseason sport, constructing on his strong efficiency all through coaching camp. He’s most likely on the skin trying in for the Ravens’ 53-man roster, with Calais Campbell, Michael Pierce, Justin Madubuike, Travis Jones, Brent Urban and Broderick Washington forward of him. But with Jones in jeopardy of lacking the start of the season due to a knee sprain, may the Ravens discover a technique to preserve Mack within the image?
Another spectacular outing from him would make the Ravens suppose onerous and likewise function an audition for different groups trying so as to add an inside lineman. Mack seems like an NFL participant, no matter the place he finally ends up.
DB Ar’Darius Washington
It’s straightforward to get misplaced within the Ravens’ star-studded secondary, and Washington began coaching camp on the shelf as he labored his approach again from a foot harm. He returned to sport motion in opposition to the Cardinals, primarily at cornerback, and produced some good moments in protection within the fourth quarter.
Even if Washington builds on that effort with a formidable sport in opposition to the Commanders, he is perhaps an extended shot to make the 53-man roster, with as many as 11 safeties and cornerbacks forward of him on the depth chart. But Macdonald preaches the worth of versatility, and Washington performs a number of spots.
OLB Daelin Hayes
The Ravens would love somebody to step ahead on the sting, the place Odafe Oweh and Justin Houston are the one gamers they’ll rely on for Week 1. Hayes, a 2021 fifth-round choose, had a serious probability to push for enjoying time this summer time however has not taken benefit. Aside from a number of flashes as a bull rusher and edge setter, he merely has not made numerous memorable performs in follow or within the two preseason video games.
The excellent news for Hayes is that chance stays with Tyus Bowser nonetheless working again from a torn Achilles tendon. If he performs properly in opposition to the Commanders — a giant if, contemplating he missed Wednesday’s follow — and strings collectively a number of good practices, he might earn significant snaps in Week 1. Now is the time for him, as a result of Bowser and second-round choose David Ojabo are on the best way.
Preseason, Week 3
COMMANDERS@RAVENS
Saturday, 7 p.m.
TV: Ch. 11
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
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Source: www.bostonherald.com