5 things we learned from Ravens’ 30-7 preseason loss to Green Bay Packers
Childs Walker, The Baltimore Sun
Tylan Wallace keeps finding ways to stick
A year ago, Wallace spoke endearingly of how on cutdown day, he sat in his car in the parking lot at the Ravens’ training facility, praying his phone wouldn’t buzz with unwanted news. He hoped a strong preseason was enough to put him on the right side of the roster bubble.
The fourth-year wide receiver’s position isn’t so tenuous in 2024. He seems likely to make the 53-man roster because of his special teams value, displayed most memorably with his game-winning punt return against the Los Angeles Rams last season.
If the 2021 fourth-round draft pick needed a final flourish, however, he provided it Saturday with the most exciting individual play of the Ravens’ preseason.
In the second quarter, Wallace slanted right to find clear ground in the middle of the Green Bay secondary, caught Josh Johnson’s pass and outran everyone to the front corner of the end zone, extending his arm to smack the pylon for a 48-yard touchdown.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson, among others, bounded off the sideline to celebrate.
With seven catches over three seasons, Wallace isn’t likely to become one of Jackson’s featured targets out of nowhere. He is a guy who keeps finding ways to make the Ravens keep him. That’s worth celebrating in its own right.
Stock Watch: Ravens at Packers, Preseason 3
Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com
ILB Trenton Simpson
Though he’ll be a Week 1 starter, Simpson still played into the third quarter of the preseason finale to get more game reps for the second-year linebacker. He made it pay off in the third quarter when he came up with an interception in zone coverage. Simpson has stacked days throughout the summer, and he finished strong in the preseason finale, showing he’s ready to step into Patrick Queen’s former spot.
S Beau Brade
Brade led the Ravens in tackles (eight) for the second straight preseason game. He shot a gap on the Packers’ opening drive to make a tackle for loss and had a couple more big hits. Brade has been competing with fellow rookie Sanoussi Kane for a possible No. 4/5 safety spot on the 53-man roster and put his best foot forward again.
OLB David Ojabo
Ojabo had a quick win on first down of the Packers’ second offensive drive and closed ground fast to get a quarterback hit. Green Bay tried to block Ojabo with a tight end and it did not work out well. Ojabo shined in the two preseason games he played in.
NFL preseason Week 3 takeaways and 53-man roster predictions
Jamison Hensley, ESPN
Ravens: Injuries in the preseason finale could impact how the Ravens address running back and offensive line at the final major roster cut-down. There is a lot of uncertainty for Baltimore’s No. 3 running back after Owen Wright was carted off the field Saturday. It would seem as if rookie fifth-round pick Rasheen Ali has the edge now, but he didn’t suit up Saturday. Could the Ravens go with just two tailbacks (Derrick Henry and Justice Hill) on their initial 53-man roster? There are also more questions about the offensive line after rookie seventh-round pick Nick Samac was carted off the field with a lower leg injury. Samac had been making a late push by starting at center in the preseason finale. Now, Samac’s status could open up a roster spot to add a veteran blocker off waivers.
Ravens roster projection: With preseason over, here’s how the team could look
Jonas Shaffer, The Baltimore Banner
Wide receiver (6): Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Devontez Walker, Tylan Wallace, Deonte Harty
Wallace, who entered camp on the bubble, was the picture of efficiency in the preseason. According to TruMedia, he ran 19 routes, earned four targets and had four catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. As of Saturday afternoon, his 5.53 yards per route run ranked No. 1 among all players with at least four catches this preseason.
Walker, meanwhile, had a quiet three games: 23 routes run, three targets and one catch for 4 yards. The fourth-round pick has been limited by a rib injury this month, but it’s unclear whether he’ll have an early-season role.
Harty finished the preseason averaging 21.3 yards per kickoff return on three attempts, far behind the injured Wright (30.3 yards). But the Baltimore native’s speed and punt return ability (9.7 yards per return on three punts) should be enough to hold off challenges from Anthony Miller and Dayton Wade. Free-agent signing Russell Gage, limited in recent weeks by injury, played in just the preseason opener and figures to be a strong practice squad candidate.
Ravens final 53-man roster projection: Toughest calls on defensive side of the ball
Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic
Cornerback (6)
In: Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Nate Wiggins, T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Ar’Darius Washington
Out: Bump Cooper Jr., Ka’dar Hollman, Christian Matthew, Damarion Williams
IR: Arthur Maulet (knee), Trayvon Mullen (shoulder)
Hardest cut: Hollman
Armour-Davis and Ar’Darius Washington, who were considered to be on the bubble heading into camp, have played well and presumably locked down spots. Williams struggled in the preseason finale. Being on the field late in the fourth quarter probably isn’t a good sign for his roster chances. The wild card here is Hollman. The Ravens signed him mainly for his special teams ability, and he’s been one of their busiest special teams guys in both training camp and the preseason. That could be enough to get him a spot or at the very least a practice squad invitation with a promise of an elevation during the early weeks. If special teams become the deciding factor, he’d likely make the team over Williams, who isn’t a guy the coaching staff seems to trust on coverage teams. Maulet is expected to return at some point in the first half of the season, so it would make sense if he gets one of the two IRs with a designation to return spots.
Safety (5)
In: Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, Eddie Jackson, Sanoussi Kane, Beau Brade
Out: Daryl Worley
Hardest cut: Worley
Due to Washington’s ability to play safety, the Ravens could easily get away with keeping just four. This likely will come down to Kane, Brade and Worley battling for one or two spots — and special teams could be the determining factor. The Ravens really like Worley’s physicality on special teams, but he’s a vested vet and they can play the practice squad game with him like they did last year. Kane and Brade have also flashed at different points this summer, and Baltimore would like to keep both around.