Pass rush could be ready for breakthrough
Bengals possible remedy for Ravens’ sluggish defense
This past offseason, former Raven Za’Darius Smith earned a four-year, $66 million deal from the Green Bay Packers. Outside linebacker Matthew Judon could get a similar payday next offseason. But he knows it’d help if the 2019 Ravens defense looked more like the 2018 Ravens defense.
The Ravens have just two sacks and four quarterback hits over the past two weeks, and Judon has been held without a sack after starting the season with one in three straight games.
“I’m all right on the contract situation,” he said Wednesday. “It happens when it’s supposed to happen. God has His plan. I’m just riding the wave right now. The better I play and the better our team plays, the more it helps me out on [my] contract. But I’m not really thinking about that. I’ve got a job to do every day, and how selfish would it be for me to these guys if I’m just out here pouting about some money?”
Sunday could be a breakthrough game for the Ravens. While the winless Bengals held the Cardinals to just one sack and three quarterback hits Sunday, they allowed eight and 12, respectively, the week before in a blowout loss to the Steelers.
According to ESPN, Bengals tackles Bobby Hart and Andre Smith rank among the NFL’s nine worst tackles in Pass Block Win Rate, the rate at which linemen can sustain their blocks for at least 2.5 seconds. Smith has played at left tackle in place of starter Cordy Glenn, who has been sidelined since the preseason with a concussion.
Jackson helps photographer
Shelley Lipton got the shot. But she also took the hit.
The Pittsburgh-area photographer was covering the Steelers’ game Sunday against the visiting Ravens in the first quarter when quarterback Lamar Jackson headed her way. After throwing away a pass near the sideline, Jackson was shoved in the back by
Tonight's picks
defensive end Stephon Tuitt.
The illegal hit sent him flying, and Jackson hurtled out of control toward Lipton, who was crouching behind the lens of her camera. Jackson couldn’t avoid a collision, and Lipton lost control of her camera as she rolled onto her back before sitting upright.
Jackson quickly walked over to help her up. He said Wednesday that he later messaged her to ask whether she was OK.
“They’re human beings, too. I’m over here moving fast, getting physical out there on the field, and we’re coming full speed,” he said.
10 Ravens missing
A handful of significant Ravens missed practice Wednesday with injuries.
Tight end Mark Andrews (shoulder), who also has been dealing with a foot injury, wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (ankle), cornerback Maurice Canady (thigh) and inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor (ankle) all were absent. Andrews and Brown missed time in Sunday’s win over the Steelers, while Canady has a history of leg injuries.
Cornerback Brandon Carr, running back Mark Ingram II, guard Marshal Yanda and safety Earl Thomas III missed practice for noninjury reasons.
Cornerback Jimmy Smith (knee) remains out. Harbaugh said Smith is “doing well,” but declined to speculate Wednesday on when he could return to action. Smith suffered a knee sprain in the Ravens’ Week1 win over the Miami Dolphins and has not practiced since.