Don’t expect many revelations out of Owings Mills over the next two weeks as the Ravens prepare for the regular-season opener against the Jets.
Will Ronnie Stanley be available to start at left tackle?
“I think there’s a chance, but I wouldn’t comment on what the number is – for strategic reasons,” coach John Harbaugh said. “No, it’s in season now. It’s all been fun and games up until this point. It’s game on now.”
Has Ben Powers won the battle at left guard?
“We’re probably at the point now where we’re just not going to talk about that,” Harbaugh said. “We have our plans, but there’s no strategic value in announcing them.”
"This is a tough day… But, we have a lot of great players, I'm excited about this roster and this team." @Mandrews_81 pic.twitter.com/ep3U3kC8qG
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 30, 2022
Will rookie Tyler Linderbaum be able to start at center after missing the first two preseason games with a foot injury?
“Yes, [he played in] only nine plays, which [was] probably the right thing to do,” Harbaugh said. “But good – he looked good. He handled it well. [There are] some things with cadence and things like that, [so] it was good that we got him out there, so he has a feel for it before he goes in … We’re going to be in a very hostile environment; it’s not going to be anything like what we had at home in a preseason game.”
What about J.K. Dobbins, who began training camp on the PUP list after suffering a season-ending knee injury last August?
“If J.K. can go out right now, that would be great,” Harbaugh said. “I would be excited. He had a good practice today. If not, we have the guys that will play. So, we’re good either way.”
So, the media and fans will have to deduce and speculate about who is going to be available for the game in the Meadowlands.
However, there was some clarity when the Ravens finalized the 53-man roster on Tuesday.
The Ravens won’t have linebacker Tyus Bowser or linebacker David Ojabo, both of whom are in the late stages of dealing with Achilles injuries.
Otherwise, the Ravens should have most of the other playmakers available, including Lamar Jackson, who is playing on his fifth-year option. Cornerback Marcus Peters should also be available after missing all of last season.
There are questions surrounding the running game without Dobbins.
The Ravens waived rookie Tyler Badie, which will make room for Kenyan Drake, who is reportedly in Baltimore and ready to sign a deal after being cut by the Raiders.
Drake joins Mike Davis and Justice Hill in the backfield if Dobbins needs more time to heal.
Baltimore will also do some more maneuvering in the following days. The Ravens could bring back safety Tony Jefferson and defensive end Brent Urban after they were both waived.
I could be wrong but I think this is just some tactical roster gamesmanship intended to place another player on the 53 only to move him to IR to afterwards, bring TJ back. https://t.co/bBob0sGp9F
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) August 29, 2022
Otherwise, the Ravens have a deep roster if everyone can stay healthy and the contract situation with Jackson doesn’t become a bigger distraction.
Rookie tight end Isaiah Likely looks poised to have a huge season and fellow Mark Andrews is coming off of one of the most productive seasons in Ravens history with more than 1,000 yards receiving.
“I just want to win, I just want to win – that’s really all that matters to me – [and] helping this team get better and making this team better,” tight end Mark Andrews said. “So, I’m all for the team. Like we say, ‘The Team, The Team, The Team.’”
