Baltimore Beatdown
The injury bug has infested Baltimore.
11 of the Ravens’ starters are listed on the team’s first injury report ahead of their Week 5 matchup with the Houston Texans, including new injuries to Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum, Chidobie Awuzie, Brent Urban, and Devontez Walker.
Both sides of the ball have reached a crisis point. Baltimore is running out of healthy cornerbacks and defensive linemen, and a Lamar Jackson-less offense will have a tough time against Houston’s elite defense. Even if some of the Ravens’ currently-hurt players manage to play in the next two games, they will likely be limited by their injuries.
The only good news to come out of Wednesday’s injury report was the practice debut of third-round pick Emery Jones. The former LSU right tackle underwent shoulder surgery in March and has been on the shelf ever since. After starting the regular season on the physically unable to perform list, Jones participated in practice as soon as he was eligible. That is a good sign for his recovery, but he is unlikely to play a role in the offense anytime soon. He played right tackle in college, but may be best suited to line up at guard in the NFL. That position switch might take some time, and the Ravens seem committed to their current O-line.
Here is the Ravens’ full injury report for Wednesday:
Limited participation
Did not participate
The Texans are relatively healthy coming into this matchup. Star cornerback Derek Stingley is dealing with an oblique injury he picked up in Week 4 and did not participate on Wednesday. If he misses Sunday’s game in Baltimore, backups Tremon Smith and Zion Childress would be significant downgrades from the All-Pro.
Backup defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi was the only other Texan to miss Wednesday’s practice with an injury. Defensive line depth is not an issue for Houston, so Fatukasi’s absence would likely have a minimal impact.
