Makeup of roster a mix of reserves
The Ravens roster that almost knocked off the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium a month ago is not the same team that will step onto Heinz Field on Wednesday afternoon.
About a dozen Ravens starters and key contributors are not expected to play against the Steelers as they complete self-quarantine periods while on the NFL’s reserve/ COVID-19 list in the aftermath of a team-wide outbreak.
The depth at some positions was completely whittled, forcing the Ravens coaching staff to get creative, while the core of other positions remains intact. Regardless, the Ravens will field the healthy players they have and try to pull off amassive upset.
Here is where the team’s roster stands heading into Wednesday afternoon.
In good shape
■ SECONDARY Who’s available: S Chuck Clark, S DeShon Elliott, CB Davontae Harris, CB Marlon Humphrey, DB/LB An
thony Levine Sr., CB Marcus Peters, S Jordan Richards, CB Jimmy Smith, S Geno Stone, CB Tramon Williams
Who’s out: CB Terrell Bonds (reserve/COVID-19 list; previously on injured reserve)
If therewas any silver lining to placing 22 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list since Nov. 23, the Ravens’ entire starting secondary went unscathed. It was already a unit that has struggled with injuries throughout the season but should be in a good position Wednesday.
■ RUNNING BACKS Who’s available: J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Mark Ingram II, Justice Hill, TySon Williams (practice squad)
Who’s out: N/A According to an NFL Network report, the final day of the 10-day self-quarantine period for Dobbins and Ingram is Tuesday, making them eligible to be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list and play Wednesday. The Ravens have until 12:30 p.m. Wednesday to submit any transactions ahead of their game. Given that Dobbins and Ingram haven’t had any practice time in almost twoweeks, the Ravens could opt to keep the two sidelined.
■ SPECIALTEAMS Who’s available: P Sam Koch, K Justin Tucker, LS Nick Moore (practice squad)
Who’s out: LS Morgan Cox It seems that a pandemic is the only thing that could have separated the Wolfpack. Cox will miss his first game since the 2015 season but the Ravens have a replacement in Nick Moore, whom the team kept on the practice squad for this very reason.
■ WIDERECEIVER Who’s available: Miles Boykin, Marquise Brown, Dez Bryant, Devin Duvernay, James Proche II, Jaylon Moore (practice squad)
Who’s out: Willie Snead IV The wide receivers group only lost Snead to the outbreak, but in recent weeks, he’s been the position’s most productive performer. Brown and Boykin, who have combined for two catches and 14 yards the past two games, will need to step up. Bryant should also see another bump in his involvement within the offense.
Limited
■ OFFENSIVE LINE Who’s available: G/C Bradley Bozeman, G Ben Bredeson, T Orlando Brown Jr., C Trystan Colon-Castillo, G/T D.J. Fluker, G/T Tyre Phillips, G Ben Powers, T Jake Rodgers, T R.J. Prince (practice squad)
Who’s out: G/T Will Holden (reserve/COVID-19 list; previously on practice squad), G/C Patrick Mekari, C/G Matt Skura
The interior of the Ravens’ offensive line took a big hit as a result of the outbreak, with the team’s top two centers sidelined. Colon-Castillo, an undrafted rookie, could make the first start of his career at center. Or it could be Bozeman, who played center at Alabama. Holden rotated series at right tackle with Fluker against the Tennessee Titans but Fluker might regain that role in a full-time capacity with Holden sidelined.
■ LINEBACKER Who’s available: ILB Chris Board, OLB Tyus Bowser, OLB Jaylon Ferguson, ILB L.J. Fort, ILB Malik Harrison, ILB Patrick Queen, ILB Kristian Welch, OLB Aaron Adeoye (practice squad), OLB Chauncey Rivers (practice squad)
Who’s out: OLB Matthew Judon, OLB Pernell McPhee
The Ravens defense will be without Judon, a top edge rusher, and McPhee, a top edge setter. Bowser and Ferguson seem primed for starting roles and will each need to have one of the best games of their young careers if the Ravens hope to beat the Steelers.
■ QUARTERBACK Who’s available: Robert Griffin III, Trace McSorley, Tyler Huntley (practice squad)
Who’s out: Lamar Jackson With Jackson, the NFL’s reigning Most Valuable Player, out because of a positive COVID-19 test, Griffin will fill in Wednesday. Griffin will make his first start since Week 17 of the 2019 season, a win against the Steelers, although the makeup of both teams is vastly different.
Severely limited
■ TIGHTEND/FULLBACK Who’s available: Sean Culkin (practice squad), Eric Tomlinson (practice squad), Luke Willson (practice squad)
Who’s out: Mark Andrews, Patrick Ricard
The Ravens didn’t add a tight end to the 53-man roster after Nick Boyle’s season-ending knee injury in Week 10 but signed Willson to the practice squad and made him active against the Titans. Ricard
■ DEFENSIVE LINE Who’s available: DT Justin Ellis, DE Yannick Ngakoue, DT Broderick Washington, DE Derek Wolfe, DT Aaron Crawford (practice squad)
Who’s out: DE Calais Campbell, DT Justin Madubuike, DE Jihad Ward, DT Brandon Williams (ankle injury)
There were already doubts regarding whether Campbell (calf strain) would recover in time to play against the Steelers. Williams (ankle) was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday shortly thereafter ruled out.