As expected, the Baltimore Ravens are continuing to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak this week. Per the team’s Twitter account, Baltimore placed defensive end Calais Campbell, as well as centers Patrick Mekari and Matt Skura on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Due to the Ravens’ continued outbreak, the NFL has pushed their Week 12 game with the Steelers back to Sunday. Though that takes away a prime time matchup on Thanksgiving, it ultimately allows Baltimore to continue testing and contact tracing.
The team’s report doesn’t note whether the players tested positive themselves or if they were considered close contacts. While that will determine if they have to miss a minimum of five days or 10 days, none will be eligible to play this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers regardless.
Those three losses loom large for the Ravens. Campbell has been an outstanding addition to this defense this season, shoring up the run and adding a far more consistent pass rush. However, due to injuries, this will be Campbell’s third-consecutive missed game this season. Skura had been demoted as the starting center but played last week in rotation at right guard. Replacing Skura at center last week was Mekari, meaning Baltimore’s already beat-up offensive line is taking further losses they can’t much afford right now.
With the addition of running backs J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram, as well as defensive lineman Brandon Williams, and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, that means the Ravens will be missing several starters on both sides of the ball this week and potentially next week as well. If Baltimore wants to get back to the playoffs this season, that means they’re close to being in must-win territory at 6-4.
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