Only a few weeks into the 2023 NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens have been bitten by the injury bug yet again. Injuries have been a primary concern for the Ravens over the past few seasons, especially on offense. Running back J.K. Dobbins, who worked exceptionally hard to get healthy this season is injured again with a torn Achilles tendon. Backup running back Justice Hill is dealing with a foot injury and looks to be back soon. Newly acquired wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is missing time with an ankle injury after missing all of last season. Lastly, offensive linemen Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum are dealing with knee and ankle injuries, respectively.
Unfortunately, the Ravens injuries are not only affecting the offensive side of the ball. Baltimore has lost key defensive pieces to injury, all of whom are scheduled to return this season. Defensive backs Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Williams are both set to miss multiple weeks. Humphrey underwent foot surgery directly before the start of the season after an injury in practice. Williams suffered a torn pectoral in Week 1 against the Houston Texans. Finally, linebacker Odafe Oweh is dealing with an ankle injury and will miss time. In these players’ absence, the reserves must show up to play.
Injuries Ground Soaring Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens may be the most injury-riddled team in the NFL. At full strength, the roster appears good enough for a deep playoff run. The problem: Baltimore is rarely at full strength. Although the Ravens did a fantastic job adding talent this offseason, the talent is already hurt. After taking a flyer on oft-injured wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., he’s back on the sideline only a few weeks into the season. J.K. Dobbins will miss another full season, leaving Baltimore to search for backfield help. Linebacker Odafe Oweh played in every game last season but will be sidelined with an ankle injury. With injuries to these starters, the reserves will be elevated on the depth chart.
Players That Must Step Up For Ravens
Rashod Bateman
Wide receiver Rashod Bateman is sure to play a lot more snaps with Odell Beckham Jr. healing from an ankle injury. Bateman is a fast, sure-handed receiver who will need to stay healthy in Beckham Jr.’s absence. Bateman has not started a game this season but that is likely to change in the coming weeks. Because of Bateman’s speed, he can be used similarly to Beckham Jr., although not as much of a red zone threat. Injuries to skill players are usually followed by a dropoff in production. As a young player, Bateman can use this as an opportunity to establish himself as a reliable receiver.
Gus Edwards
Running back Gus Edwards will likely shoulder the majority of the workload in the backfield. Injuries have decimated the Ravens backfield, which lightens the running attack. The Ravens have signed Melvin Gordon and Kenyan Drake as emergency backups, but it looks like they will be in use sooner rather than later. As for Edwards, he has posted three consecutive 700+ yard seasons before dealing with injury issues himself in 2022. Having a running back that has gotten close to the 1,000-yard rushing mark multiple times, Baltimore is in good hands for now.
David Ojabo
Linebacker David Ojabo will see quite a bit of action in the coming weeks with the injury to Odafe Oweh. Ojabo has not played much in his short NFL career and looks to capitalize on the playing time. Ojabo is very skilled, so his lack of snaps has not been due to lack of production. Last year at the NFL scouting combine, Ojabo suffered a torn Achilles which sat him down for all but two games in 2022. Ojabo miraculously returned before the season’s end, which showed Baltimore a sense of determination and desire. This season, Ojabo has shown flashes of what’s to come. If not for the injury at the combine, Ojabo was a sure first-round selection. Luckily for the Ravens, he fell to them in the second round and will be a big piece of their defense for the foreseeable future.
Main Photo: Albert Cesare – USA Today Sports
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