The Baltimore Ravens are set to take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5 of the 2021 season. Baltimore has gotten off to an impressive start so far, putting together a 3-1 record over the course of the first month of the year. However, what makes the Ravens’ start even more impressive is the fact that the team has dealt with a massive amount of injuries in such a short amount of time.
On Thursday, Baltimore released their first injury report ahead of their contest with Indianapolis. Compared to injury reports of past weeks, the list is quite short, but there are still a few key contributors who weren’t able to practice.
Thursday's Injury Report: pic.twitter.com/zH0Sqsfn0t
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 7, 2021
The big positive takeaway from the Ravens’ Thursday injury report is the fact that safety DeShon Elliott returned to practice in limited fashion after missing Baltimore’s Week 4 matchup with the Detroit Lions. If he’s able to return in Week 5 it would provide a big boost to the Ravens’ defense.
Both Week 1 starting tackles in Ronnie Stanley and Alejandro Villanueva did not participate in practice on Thursday. Stanley has missed the last few weeks as he continues to recover from the ankle injury he suffered during the 2020 season, while Villanueva left Week 4 with a knee injury. Head coach John Harbaugh did say Villanueva’s injury wasn’t serious.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh on status of OT Alejandro Villanueva (knee): “It’s not serious by any stretch.”
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 7, 2021
Rounding out the injury report, safety Geno Stone didn’t practice with a thigh injury, while both outside linebacker Justin Houston and cornerback Jimmy Smith got rest days.