2 min read • August 13, 2021
Posted in
Baltimore Ravens
Offense
QB Lamar Jackson -
The Ravens MVP quarterback suffered a concussion in the playoff game versus the Buffalo Bills, and did not finish out the game. However there are no lingering effects heading into new season and may be in for a career year with new weapons drafted and signed in free agency. He has more receiving threats than ever before in his career, and could capitalize on an offense built around him, Sammy Watkins, Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews. There are also COVID-19 questions after he spent time on the Reserve/COVID reserved list last year. After a second bout with COVID in training camp this year, there was talk of potential vaccination (he would only need one dose) to avoid the close contact penalties and improve his availability.
WR Rashod Bateman -
The rookie Ravens wide receiver who injured his groin in practice a few days ago, will now be undergoing groin surgery. Head coach John Harbaugh indicated a return in September, but that seems dubious. We would expect Bateman to start the season on IR, meaning Week Four is the earliest date for return. Expect the elusive wideout to be back in October and given all this time missed, we would not expect him to contribute significantly until later in the season.
WR Marquise Brown -
The speedy wideout has dealt with soft tissue injuries his entire career and is currently nursing a hamstring injury to start training camp. Brown has a ton of potential and if he can stay healthy there will be more targets with rookie Rashaad Bateman on the shelf.
WR Sammy Watkins -
The oft-injured wideout missed four games with a hamstring injury midseason, then three out of the last four games including playoffs with a calf injury. Watkins was able to play in the Super Bowl albeit in a limited capacity, and is now looking for a fresh start with the Ravens. He has a legitimate opportunity to become the WR1 here if he gels with his new QB, and could be in line for another season of solid production. He does have a bit of an injury history, and hasn’t played 16 games since his rookie campaign (2014).
TE Nick Boyle -
Boyle suffered a season-ending left knee injury on a low but legal hit. The tight end undoubtedly suffered a knee dislocation type injury with multiple ligaments torn. This type of injury brings a prolonged recovery which may not have him ready for the following season. This is a significant injury, more so than an isolated ACL tear. Even before the recent clean-up knee surgery, there were doubts about this year. We expect at least a PUP stint to start the regular season and any contributions from Boyle this season would be a bonus.
Offensive Line
OL Ronnie Stanley -
The Ravens left tackle had just signed a massive 5 year, $98 Million contract extension this season, just before suffering a severe left ankle fracture/dislocation with additional ligament damage. His 2020 campaign ended there and Stanley underwent subsequent surgery, but should be on track to start the 2021 season fresh. Stanley recently came off the PUP list and will be worked back into practice. We expect Stanley to be ready for Week 1 but will need to work himself back into full form.
OL Ja'Wuan James -
The Denver Broncos starting right tackle and now Baltimore Raven suffered a season-ending Achilles rupture and to add insult to injury, the injury happened away from the team. The Broncos as a team had opted to skip optional voluntary offseason workouts. If James had torn his Achilles at the Broncos facility, his $10 million salary would be guaranteed. With the injury being suffered away from the facility, it can be termed non-football meaning James can fail on his physical. This means the Broncos would not owe James a dime this season. The injury requires surgery and for James to miss the entire 2021 season. He will be ready for next season's offseason program but a long road of recovery lies ahead. The situation is just another in what has been a tumultuous relationship with the Denver Broncos who have since released him. After signing a massive contract in 2019, James has appeared in just three games due to knee issues and opted out in 2020. At this point, James is a player stashed for late season or next year. If lucky, he can come back very late this season but this is really more of a future addition as the Ravens look to replace Orlando Brown Jr. on the right side of their line.
Defense
DT Calais Campbell -
The star defensive lineman suffered a calf injury Week 9 that lingered for a chunk of the season and caused him to miss three games. He also missed one game after being placed on the Reserve/COVID list. Campbell comes into this season healthy but there is no hiding his age of 34. He still has the ability to push the pocket inside, and the Ravens may begin to work him into more of a rotation to preserve that skillset into his mid-30s.
CB Marcus Peters -
The stud CB suffered a calf injury late in the season that caused him to miss two games and dealt with a back injury in the playoffs but didn't miss a game. Peters is healthy going into the 2021 season and he is poised for a solid season as one of the top dogs in the Ravens secondary.
CB Jimmy Smith -
Smith dealt with multiple injuries including ankle, groin and rib ailments, missing a total of five games but was able to return for playoffs after missing four of the last five games. He left practice on a cart early in camp this year and has a reported ankle sprain. Let's hope he can return to close to full form by Week 1 and hold down his longtime spot on the Ravens’ defense.
CB Tavon Young -
In what was the 7th instance of a torn ACL Week 2, Tavon Young fell to the dreaded injury. There was reportedly no more ligament damage outside of the ACL, but it is worth noting that this is the 2nd time he's suffered this injury to his left knee. There is optimism coming off two straight season-ending injuries but we would be more guarded in our expectations for this open-field player. It will take time to build back trust in his knee and be able to cut/strafe around the field as he reacts to route runners.
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