The Ravens know the form of expertise they’ve on their workforce. That doesn’t make basic supervisor Eric DeCosta’s job over the subsequent two-plus weeks any simpler.
By 4 p.m. Tuesday, the Ravens must trim their energetic roster to 85 gamers. Per week later, they’ll must get right down to 80. On Aug. 30, three days after the Ravens’ preseason finale in opposition to the Washington Commanders, they’ll finalize their preliminary 53-man roster.
Even then, DeCosta’s roster administration received’t decelerate. After making area for injured gamers who can return in 2022 — anybody positioned on injured reserve by Aug. 30 is ineligible to play this season — the Ravens must make injured-reserve choices, discover short- and long-term replacements and assemble a observe squad.
It received’t take a lot to vary DeCosta’s calculus. But with coaching camp winding down, right here’s a take a look at how his 53-man roster may take form.
Offense
Quarterback (2): Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley
Anthony Brown impressed within the second half Thursday, ending 10-for-15 for 117 yards, however the Ravens can’t maintain on to everybody. There are extra urgent wants than preserving an undrafted rookie to again up one of many NFL’s greatest backup quarterbacks.
Running again (4): J.Okay. Dobbins, Mike Davis, Justice Hill, Tyler Badie
The Ravens are hoping for excellent news on Dobbins, who missed observe Saturday and Sunday for scheduled knee evaluations. Dobbins returned to observe final Monday, his first look since tearing his ACL final 12 months, and is predicted again Monday.
The Ravens’ next-best choice, Gus Edwards, is on the physically-unable-to-perform record and thought of uncertain for Week 1 as he recovers from his personal season-ending knee harm. Coach John Harbaugh’s current feedback on Edwards’ timetable — “I think before the season’s over, he’s going to be rolling and ready to go” — counsel he’ll open the season on the reserve/PUP record, giving the Ravens one other roster spot till Edwards is cleared for observe.
Thursday’s opener didn’t produce a breakout candidate at operating again, however Davis’ work with the first-string offense received’t damage his job safety. Badie’s a sixth-round choose who hasn’t seemed misplaced in observe, which additionally bodes properly. Even if Dobbins is on observe for Week 1, the Ravens will doubtless look to maintain three different wholesome backs on their preliminary roster. Hill’s velocity and particular groups capability ought to give him a bonus over Nate McCrary and Corey Clement.
Wide receiver (5): Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, James Proche II, Tylan Wallace, Jaylon Moore
With Proche coping with a soft-tissue harm and Wallace working his method again from a sprained knee, it’s not possible to know simply what the Ravens will want on the finish of the preseason. But Proche’s spot is protected, and Wallace’s doubtless is, too.
The front-office calculations after which can be troublesome: Would DeCosta be comfy having simply 4 receivers on the preliminary 53-man roster, then including one other earlier than Week 1? What are the chances of a observe squad reunion with Moore, considered one of their higher receivers in camp, if he hits the waiver wire? How connected are the Ravens to promising undrafted rookies Shemar Bridges and Makai Polk? And what if they need a free agent like Will Fuller V? There’s lots to contemplate.
Tight finish/fullback (5): Mark Andrews, Patrick Ricard, Nick Boyle, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar
The Ravens’ depth means they will afford to be affected person with Kolar, the fourth-round choose who’s recovering from sports activities hernia surgical procedure. He’s a candidate to begin the season on short-term IR, which might sideline him for not less than the primary 4 weeks. Tony Poljan, who spent his rookie season on the observe squad and has outplayed Josh Oliver in camp, may additionally assist if harm strikes the place once more this preseason.
Offensive deal with (4): Ronnie Stanley, Morgan Moses, Ja’Wuan James, Daniel Faalele
There’s optimism about Stanley’s restoration, and Harbaugh stated lately that he could possibly be prepared for Week 1. But the Ravens must err on the aspect of warning. DeCosta blamed himself for believing Stanley could be out there final 12 months, and his ankle surgical procedure left a home of playing cards in his wake at left deal with. If the Ravens maintain James, who began at left deal with Thursday, they’d have six linemen who may line up at deal with if referred to as upon: the 4 full-timers, plus Patrick Mekari and Tyre Phillips.
The largest query mark is James, who’s performed simply three video games since 2019 and could be owed a $2.5 million base wage this season — not a small sum for the wage cap-strapped Ravens.
Interior offensive line (6): Ben Powers, Tyler Linderbaum, Kevin Zeitler, Patrick Mekari, Tyre Phillips, Ben Cleveland
The Ravens seem dedicated to getting into the season with 10 offensive linemen, even when they’ll activate solely eight on recreation days. Versatility might be key. Powers entered preseason play with the sting over Phillips and Cleveland at left guard, and he performed some middle Thursday and held up properly, Harbaugh stated. Both Mekari and, to a lesser extent, Phillips can transfer out huge. Cleveland’s vary is proscribed, however he boosted his preseason inventory Thursday, and the Ravens are usually reluctant to half this early with Day 2 draft picks. Trystan Colon’s odds, in the meantime, seem like fading.
Defense
Defensive line (6): Calais Campbell, Michael Pierce, Justin Madubuike, Broderick Washington, Brent Urban, Travis Jones
This place group has been among the many Ravens’ most constant, wholesome and productive all through camp. Isaiah Mack has proven sufficient flashes to make an NFL roster, however till he does, he’d be very helpful on the Ravens’ observe squad. Aaron Crawford is one other stable depth piece.
Outside linebacker (4): Tyus Bowser, Odafe Oweh, Justin Houston, Daelin Hayes
Second-round choose David Ojabo, who informed Harbaugh lately that he’s going to be again by midseason, “at the latest,” will doubtless begin the season on the nonfootball harm record, opening a roster spot for one more participant. Bowser on Thursday declined to supply a timetable for his return from a torn Achilles tendon, however his optimism over his rehabilitation suggests he received’t be out for too lengthy.
Vince Biegel’s season-ending Achilles harm ought to safe a spot for Hayes, who’s had a quiet camp, and open one for Stephen Means, a vested veteran (not less than 4 years of accrued service time) who may bypass waivers and re-sign with the workforce after cut-down day. Undrafted rookie Jamario Moon is a dark-horse candidate to make the roster. Given the harm issues on the place, the protection can’t afford to be short-staffed right here.
Inside linebacker (4): Patrick Queen, Josh Bynes, Malik Harrison, Kristian Welch
Harrison missed a few tackles Thursday, his first in depth work at inside linebacker since a Halloween capturing interrupted his second season. He additionally compelled a fumble and helped out on particular groups, which by no means goes unnoticed in Baltimore. Welch’s spot is extra tenuous; undrafted rookie Josh Ross, who performed for defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald at Michigan, had a team-high-tying 4 tackles in simply 22 defensive snaps Thursday. But to unseat the third-year veteran, he’ll want to indicate he can contribute elsewhere. Welch leads all returning Ravens in 2021 particular groups snaps.
Cornerback (6): Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Brandon Stephens, Kyle Fuller, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Damarion “Pepe” Williams
The Ravens are properly stocked right here. Of course, they had been properly stocked final summer season, too, then watched one harm after one other decimate the place. Peters, who’s recovering from a torn ACL, is predicted to be prepared for Week 1. Stephens, Armour-Davis and Williams are all current draft picks who can contribute. Fuller didn’t play Thursday, suggesting his uneven camp hasn’t thrust him onto the roster bubble.
If Peters’ rehab drags into September or one other harm cuts into the group’s depth, Kevon Seymour figures to be the subsequent man up. The Ravens worth his particular groups contributions — “We know what he is, as a teamer,” Harbaugh stated early in camp — and as a vested veteran, Seymour wouldn’t must cross by means of waivers.
Safety (4): Marcus Williams, Chuck Clark, Kyle Hamilton, Geno Stone
Stone’s star flip in Thursday’s win all however assured him of a job right here. There’s at all times an opportunity the Ravens commerce Clark earlier than they trim their roster, however the hypothesis has quieted for the reason that offseason. With or with out Clark, the Ravens in all probability wish to maintain Tony Jefferson in Baltimore, too, even when they will’t maintain him on their preliminary roster. As one other vested veteran, he may rejoin the workforce as soon as an IR designation frees up a spot.
Special groups
Specialists (3): Justin Tucker, Jordan Stout, Nick Moore
No surprises right here. Tucker, recent off a contract extension, made all three of his field-goal makes an attempt Thursday, whereas Stout averaged 47.8 yards and 43.8 internet yards per punt. Sam Koch, his predecessor turned trainer, averaged 44.4 yards and 40.0 yards, respectively, in 2021.
Preseason, Week 2
RAVENS@CARDINALS
Sunday, 8 p.m.
TV: Ch. 45
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
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Source: www.bostonherald.com