The Ravens are about to embark on the final, critical stretch of their season, and they could be getting key reinforcement at the best possible time.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson will reportedly be ready to start Week 13 against the Cowboys after missing the previous game against the Steelers because of COVID-19.
Baltimore has lost its last three games without defensive end Calais Campbell in the lineup, and he’s poised to return after injuring his calf and also dealing with COVID-19.
In addition, running back Mark Ingram, along with defensive ends Campbell and Jihad Ward were activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Dec. 5.
Coach John Harbaugh was coy about the remaining players on the COVID-19 list.
“We got good practices in for preparation for Tuesday, which is a big plus for us,” he said. “We appreciate the opportunity to practice. Sometimes you don’t realize how much something means to you until it’s taken away. I know our guys feel that way. I know there are going to be questions about the guys who are coming off the COVID-19 list, whether they’ll play or not.
“As we said before, it’s a medical decision – OK? It’s really premature for me to comment on any of that at this point; I don’t know until the medical decisions are made finally. Evaluations have to take place with those guys as we go, even post-practice. The other thing is that we don’t talk about who comes off of the list, ever, until the transactions are official on the NFL wire. That’s our policy [and] always has been.”
Other Ravens players listed as questionable for the game but who were able to practice include offensive lineman D.J. Fluker (ankle), inside linebacker Kristian Welch (ankle), cornerback Davontae Harris (thigh), and safety DeShon Elliott (knee/ankle).
The Ravens (6-5) might have to win their final five games to make the postseason for the third consecutive year. They are currently ninth in the seven-team playoff format.
After the game against the Cowboys, the Ravens play at Cleveland (Dec. 14), Jacksonville (Dec. 20), New York Giants (Dec. 27), and at Cincinnati (Jan. 3).
The matchup against the Browns will be critical for both teams.
Cleveland improved to 9-3 with an impressive 41-35 road victory over the Titans. Baker Mayfield threw for 334 yards with all four of his touchdown passes in the first half. As a result, Cleveland now occupies the No. 5 seed in the current AFC playoff bracket.
The Browns lead the Ravens by two games in the AFC North. Baltimore beat Cleveland 38-6 in the regular-season opener and the matchup in Week 14 could be the biggest game of the season for both franchises.
This week, the Ravens will face an old nemesis, quarterback Andy Dalton, a player the Ravens know well from his time in Cincinnati. Dalton knocked Baltimore out of the playoffs in the regular-season finale of the 2017 season, so the players won’t be taking him lightly.
“He’s a tough quarterback that’s played in this division – the AFC North – so he’s going to stand there and make the tough throws,” defensive coordinator Don Martindale said. “He’s throwing it on rhythm, and they’re doing some things that are tailored to him, as well, to expand on his strengths. So, it’s going to be a great challenge for us, because we know him, and he knows us.”
The Ravens cannot afford a hiccup against the Cowboys, who have struggled much of the season, but still have a chance to make the playoffs. Harbaugh had made his players have stayed focused amid all of the recent distractions with the pandemic.
“Our only focus is on Dallas right now,” Harbaugh said. “All the macro-observations are left for others, including you guys. We just need to focus on getting our preparation right for the upcoming game and play our best football game of the season Tuesday.”
