The Baltimore Ravens simply need to beat the Cleveland Browns in Week 16 and they’ll lock themselves in as the No. 1 seed in the AFC. But they could have the tall task of beating a division rival without one of their best players.
According to coach John Harbaugh, left tackle Ronnie Stanley and linebacker Chris Board are still in the concussion protocol.
Both players missed the Ravens’ Week 15 42-21 win over the New York Jets. But with Cleveland likely attempting to play spoiler over Baltimore and looking to pick up a key win to potentially save jobs, missing Stanley would be a huge blow to the Ravens’ offense.
Stanley has been playing at an insane level, stepping up his game this season. He’s allowed just six pressures and no sacks through 13 active games, something that seems almost unheard of in this era of football. Of course, Baltimore features the top-ranked rushing offense in yards, touchdowns and yards-per-carry average — something Stanley is a big portion of.
Board hasn’t played much on defense after the Ravens signed L.J. Fort and Josh Bynes in the middle of the season. However, Board has gotten a number of snaps on special teams for Baltimore. And as a key reserve inside linebacker, Board would likely be counted on if there was an injury to Bynes or Fort.
With such a key game upcoming and with the playoffs looming in the future, the Ravens have an interesting question to ask themselves. While few teams have a chance to sit their players to rest up before the postseason, Baltimore might look to be extra cautious with Stanley returning in these final two games. But with a full week before the Ravens have to suit up against the Browns, there’s plenty of time for Stanley and Board to get healthy and back into the lineup.
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