AFC North watch: Ravens ravaged by COVID-19, injury issues

The Ravens could be extremely shorthanded when they face the Colts on Sunday

The Baltimore Ravens lost to AFC North rival Pittsburgh on Sunday. Now the Ravens are in real danger of having several key defensive players sidelined for a Week 9 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.

Starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey revealed publicly that he tested positive for COVID-19 and is suffering mild symptoms. He was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list. Now the Ravens have also placed six other players deemed in close contact with Humphrey on the reserve list. That list includes starters Matt Judon, DeShon Elliott and Patrick Queen.

All the players placed on the COVID-19 list can play on Sunday if they successfully pass five days of testing.

The Ravens also placed standout left tackle Ronnie Stanley and starting right guard Tyre Phillips on injured reserve on Tuesday in a crowded entry on the league’s transaction report:

It’s a critical game for the Ravens, tied with the Colts at 5-2 for the top Wild Card berth in the AFC. The Browns sit third in the race for the three Wild Card berths at 5-3, meaning they will be tied with the loser of Sunday’s game. Cleveland beat Indianapolis but lost to Baltimore in the first meeting this season.