Baltimore Beatdown
A few days ago, the Baltimore Ravens saw rookie cornerback Bihlal Kone suffer a devastating season-ending ACL and MCL injury in the team’s preseason opener. Unfortunately, the Ravens are now set to lose another first-year cornerback for the entirety of the season.
The team announced on Sunday that they’d be placing sixth-round pick Robert Longerbeam on injured reserve, also with a knee injury. Longerbeam was sidelined for the preseason contest on this past Thursday and missed practice on Saturday as well. The Ravens drafted him with the No. 212 overall pick in this year’s draft, one round after they selected Kone (No. 178 overall).
Less than two full weeks into August, the Ravens will now be without the services of both talented rookies for the upcoming season.
Longerbeam was likely to primarily be a special teams contributor in 2025 given the team’s depth at the position, however he would have provided some backup insurance. The former Rutgers product two interceptions and 11 pass breakups in college last season and 10 pass breakups the year prior. He played five total seasons for the Scarlett Knights.
While the loss of both Kone and Longerbeam is an unfortunate blow for the Ravens, they’re still in strong shape at cornerback overall thanks to their top-end talent and depth. The top of the depth chart remains intact as was between Marlon Humphrey, Jaire Alexander, Nate Wiggins, Chidobe Awuzie, and T.J. Tampa.
The injuries to Kone and Longerbeam strengthens the chances of rising fourth-year cornerback Jayln Armour-Davis making the roster once again and also opens the door for another fringe cornerback to emerge. The primary candidate would be rookie undrafted free agent (UDFA) Reuben Lowery, who has made a strong impression throughout the spring and summer.
Like Longerbeam, Lowery also has nickel cornerback skills and could keep the Ravens’ longstanding history of granting a UDFA a spot on the 53-man roster intact.
