Tag: Baltimore Ravens COVID-19

Ravens activate QB Lamar Jackson, 3 others from Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Baltimore Ravens got back reigning MVP QB Lamar Jackson from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Sunday, making him eligible vs. the Cowboys.

The Baltimore Ravens are just outside of the AFC playoff picture currently and desperately need to win some games to have a shot at a postseason berth. Their chances in Week 13 appear to have gotten a little better as the Ravens have activated quarterback Lamar Jackson and three others from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, making them eligible to play against the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday. Here’s everyone that was activated on Monday.

  • QB Lamar Jackson
  • FB Patrick Ricard
  • LS Morgan Cox
  • DT Justin Madubuike

Jackson was initially put on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Thanksgiving after testing positive for the coronavirus. He sat out Week 12’s contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, seeing Robert Griffin III and Trace McSorley play to a close loss in his stead.

McSorley and Griffin combined to complete 9-of-18 passes (50%) for 110 yards, one touchdown, and one pick-six, adding 84 rushing yards on 10 carries as well. While Jackson hasn’t lived up to his 2019 MVP award yet this season, last week’s game against the Steelers only proved how valuable he is to the Ravens’ chances of success. Had Griffin not thrown a pick-six or had either quarterback been more efficient, Baltimore realistically could have beaten Pittsburgh.

The big question now is just how prepared Jackson could possibly be after spending 10-plus days in isolation and not having practiced since before Week 11’s game against the Tennessee Titans. Just because a player has come off the Reserve/COVID-19 list doesn’t necessarily mean they’re prepared — physically or mentally — for a football game. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh has been mum on the subject, deferring the decision to team doctors and officials. But with Griffin on injured reserve now and the Ravens’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance, if Jackson is even remotely ready to play, it seems likely he’ll be under center come Tuesday.

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Ravens activate Calais Campbell, 2 others off Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Baltimore Ravens are down to just 10 players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list after activating Calais Campbell and two others Saturday.

Slowly but surely, the Baltimore Ravens are getting players back on the 53-man roster. After putting 23 total players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list over the 10-day lead up to their Week 12 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens activated three off the list on Saturday.

According to Baltimore’s Twitter account, the Ravens activated defensive end Calais Campbell, running back Mark Ingram, and defensive end Jihad Ward from the Reserve/COVID-19 list. That leaves Baltimore with just 10 players — including quarterback Lamar Jackson — on the Reserve/COVID-19 list as of right now.

The Ravens don’t play the Dallas Cowboys for Week 13 until Tuesday. After needing to reschedule Week 12’s game against the Steelers three separate times, Baltimore’s Week 13 game against the Cowboys was also moved back twice. That means there’s still a chance other impact players like Jackson and fullback Patrick Ricard could still return to the 53-man roster. However, with the Ravens being mum about any player’s status and time running out to get anyone on the practice field before the game, there are no guarantees even these three players will actually suit up Tuesday.

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Robert Griffin III put on injured reserve after hamstring injury vs. Steelers

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III suffered a hamstring injury in Week 12’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and is now on IR

Robert Griffin III earned the start at quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12. But it’ll be the last game he’ll play for some time and potentially the last one in a Baltimore uniform as the Ravens placed Griffin on injured reserve on Friday.

Griffin suffered a hamstring injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers and was unable to finish the game. He was not exactly stellar before injury struck, completing seven of his 12 pass attempts for just 33 yards and a pick-six. He did lead the team with 68 rushing yards but it was on one of the seven rushing attempts that he appeared to pick up the injury.

At the time of writing, the status of Lamar Jackson for Week 13’s clash with the Dallas Cowboys is still unknown. If he is not cleared to return after testing positive for COVID-19, the Ravens would have to turn to second-year quarterback Trace McSorley in his first career start. McSorley came in for Griffin against the Steelers and, to be fair, was just as bad as the veteran. McSorley completed just two of his six pass attempts, with one of the completions going for a 70-yard touchdown. But Marquise Brown did most of that work after the catch, making multiple defenders miss and outracing the others to the end zone.

The Cowboys’ defense has been, at times, historically bad in 2020. But a misfiring Ravens’ offense with McSorley at the helm is far from an ideal situation. Jackson’s health is a status that Baltimore fans should be checking regularly in the build-up to Tuesday’s game.

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Ravens activate 4 from Reserve/COVID-19 list including RB J.K. Dobbins

The Baltimore Ravens returned four more players from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday, as the team is coming back to full strength.

The Baltimore Ravens placed a total of 23 players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list in the 10 days leading up their Week 12 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, as they prepare for the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13, the Ravens are getting some of those guys back.

Baltimore announced on Friday afternoon that they’ve activated the following four players from the Reserve/COVID-19 list:

  • RB J.K. Dobbins
  • OLB Pernell McPhee
  • C/G Patrick Mekari
  • C/G Matt Skura

Getting Dobbins back into the lineup is a major boon for the Ravens. While he’s been a part of a four-man backfield, Dobbins had really started to separate from the pack over the last few weeks. Dobbins rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries against the Tennessee Titans and had previously ripped off 113 yards on 15 carries against the Steelers in Week 8.

Both Mekari and Skura had started in Week 11. However, after some terrible snaps the previous few weeks, Mekari took the starting center job from Skura who played as an extra lineman against the Titans. Still, getting both back should help solidify the Ravens’ offensive line, something they’ll desperately need if they want to get back to the postseason.

McPhee might not be a household name but he’s been effective for Baltimore this season. Playing in 10 games this season, McPhee has two sacks, one pass defensed, 25 combined tackles, and 11 quarterback hits. Combine his efforts with Matthew Judon and Calais Campbell (both still on the Reserve/COVID-19 list), as well as newcomer Yannick Ngakoue, and the Ravens have a pretty formidable defensive front.

It’s likely more players will come off the Reserve/COVID-19 list in the coming days. With Baltimore set to take on the Cowboys on Tuesday, there’s even the possibility players like quarterback Lamar Jackson could return and play against Dallas.

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Ravens staying quiet on Lamar Jackson’s and others’ potential return from Reserve/COVID-19 list

Based solely on the dates they tested positive, the Ravens could have a lot of players coming back from the Reserve/COVID-19 list vs Cowboys

The Baltimore Ravens fought valiantly against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday afternoon. Down a large chunk of the 53-man roster to the Reserve/COVID-19 list, the Ravens not only made the undefeated Steelers sweat but were nearly in a position to go win the game.

For the praise Baltimore deserves for their effort in that game, they’d probably rather have all their starters back on the field for Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately, that’s a decision that’s out of coach John Harbaugh’s hands.

“As far as the COVID-19 guys coming back, they all have their different days when they’re possibly allowed to come back,” Harbaugh said Thursday. “But those are medical decisions in the end, not coaching decisions. So, when the doctors clear them to practice, that’s when we’ll have them.”

Players who test positive for COVID-19 must stay isolated for a minimum of 10 days. Based on our COVID-19 tracker, quite a few players will finish their 10-day quarantine ahead of the Ravens’ Tuesday game against Dallas, including the following:

  • QB Lamar Jackson
  • RB Mark Ingram
  • RB J.K. Dobbins
  • DE Calais Campbell
  • DE Jihad Ward
  • DT Justin Madubuike
  • OLB Pernell McPhee
  • C/G Patrick Mekari
  • C/G Matt Skura
  • LS Morgan Cox
  • FB Patrick Ricard

Now, that’s not to say any or all of these players will actually suit up Tuesday against the Cowboys. Some are dealing with nagging injuries and all will likely need at least a few days of practice before Harbaugh is willing to put them out on the field. But the potential exists for nearly all of the Ravens’ starting offense to play, which when paired with even Baltimore’s undermanned defense could be enough to pick up a critical win over Dallas.

Beyond football, it’ll be nice to see those players come off the Reserve/COVID-19 list. While the longevity of the pandemic has made some people feel quite blasé about the potential side effects from COVID-19, the fact is scientists and health officials are still trying to fully understand the coronavirus and its short- and long-term effects. Seeing those players come off the list is a hat tip toward them and their families being better, which is really the most important thing.

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Ravens place S Geno Stone on Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Baltimore Ravens added their 23rd player to the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday after safety Geno Stone tested positive Tuesday.

The Baltimore Ravens had 10 consecutive days with a positive COVID-10 test result before Wednesday ended the streak. That trend had continued yesterday as safety Geno Stone tested positive for the coronavirus and players were informed on the plane to Pittsburgh. As expected, the Ravens placed Stone on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, according to a press release from the team.

Stone’s addition to the Reserve/COVID-19 list makes it a total of 23 players added since last Monday. Baltimore’s outbreak initially kicked off last Monday following a Week 11 loss to the Tennessee Titans, seeing both running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins test positive.

Stone had been placed on the practice squad earlier this season, making his debut in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts. Though Stone was active for two games, he only saw two defensive snaps, spending a majority of his time on special teams where he played a total of 38 snaps. While the loss of Stone for this game is just another name in the deluge, every warm body counts as the Ravens needed to elevate 10 players from the practice squad Wednesday against the Steelers.

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Ravens elevate 10 players from practice squad vs. Steelers

In order to fill vacancies and play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, the Baltimore Ravens called up 10 players from the practice squad.

The Baltimore Ravens are short-handed, to say the least. After putting a total of 22 players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list over the last 10 days, the Ravens need a little more help to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers Wednesday. According to the team’s Twitter account, Baltimore has activated 10 players from the practice squad to fill vacant spots.

  • LB Aaron Adeoye
  • TE Sean Culkin
  • LS Nick Moore
  • DE Chauncey Rivers
  • RB Ty’Son Williams
  • DT Aaron Crawford
  • QB Tyler Huntley
  • OL R.J. Prince
  • TE Eric Tomlinson
  • TE Luke Wilson

While all of these players will be important for the Ravens today, some are more likely to get meaningful snaps than others. With Mark Andrews on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and Nick Boyle on injured reserve, all three tight ends activated for this game are likely to get some action. That could actually prove to be a bit of a boon for Baltimore as they desperately need more help at the position even when Andrews comes back.

Long snapper Nick Moore will also play a vital role today after starting long snapper Morgan Cox went on the Reserve/COVID-19 list last week. He’ll be handling snapping duties on field goals, extra points, and punts Wednesday.

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Ravens to be without Mark Ingram, J.K. Dobbins vs. Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens will have to lean on Gus Edwards against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday with J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram out.

The Baltimore Ravens are down 16 players, who are on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. There was some hope Baltimore could get running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins off the list and suited up today, but it looks like that won’t happen. According to Sunday Night Football’s Michele Tafoya and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, neither Dobbins nor Ingram will be available Wednesday.

That really shouldn’t come as much of a shock. They’re still currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and while 10 days have technically passed, making them potentially eligible to return to the 53-man roster, there’s a lot that goes into such a decision. For one, Ingram and Dobbins would have to test negative and not be showing any symptoms in order to come off the Reserve/COVID-19 list under the NFL’s protocols. Secondly, they haven’t been on a practice field in over a week while dealing with the coronavirus, which is surely going to limit them initially.

With both Ingram and Dobbins out, the lead-back duties will likely fall to Gus Edwards. Among the four running backs on Baltimore’s roster, Edwards ranks second in total yards, falling just behind Dobbins. But Edwards has been a Steelers killer in the past, having gained 244 rushing yards on 43 carries — good enough for a 5.7 yards-per-carry average. That includes his last two outings in which Edwards gained 87 rushing yards and a touchdown in Week 8 and 130 rushing yards in Week 17 last year.

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Ravens have 2 new positive COVID-19 tests Tuesday, game still on

The Baltimore Ravens now have had 10 consecutive days with positive COVID-19 tests after seeing another player and staff member test Tuesday

The Baltimore Ravens are set to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in less than 24 hours and they learned of one new player and one new staff member who tested positive for COVID-19. In fact, the news is so new that the players were informed of the positive tests while on the airplane to fly to Pittsburgh, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.

Worst yet, the positive player had practiced with the team over the last two days as they held socially-distant walkthroughs in preparation for Wednesday’s game against Pittsburgh. Baltimore had not practiced since last Monday when they learned of the first two positive cases — running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins. The Ravens haven’t had a single day since that hasn’t seen a player or staff member test positive.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Ravens’ game against the Steelers is still on for Wednesday.

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Ravens activate 4 players from Reserve/COVID-19 list, including DT Brandon Williams

The Baltimore Ravens got four more players back from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday, including Brandon Williams

The Baltimore Ravens are beginning to get some of their players back off the Reserve/COVID-19 list. On Monday, Baltimore activated four players and on Tuesday, the team did the same. According to a tweet from the Ravens, they’ve activated the following four players from the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

  • DT Brandon Williams
  • QB Trace McSorley
  • CB Tavon Young
  • CB Khalil Dorsey

While getting back another four players could be helpful for Baltimore, only Brandon Williams could potentially be useful for the Ravens. Young and Dorsey are both on injured reserve while McSorley hasn’t been active for a game yet. Even Williams, who is the starting nose tackle, has been banged up with an ankle injury suffered against the New England Patriots two weeks ago. It’s unclear if Williams will actually play in this game after not practicing for the last two weeks but the Ravens might not have much of a choice with so many players still out due to COVID-19.

Still, it’s nice to see the number of players on Baltimore’s Reserve/COVID-19 list actually go down. After nine consecutive days of a player or staff member testing positive for COVID-19 and the team putting 22 players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list over the last week, the Ravens now have just 16 players on the list.

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