Left tackle Stanley suffers ankle injury in victory
Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley exited Sunday’s 13-3 win over the Carolina Panthers after suffering a left ankle injury, though there is optimism he avoided serious damage.
The injury happened with a few minutes left in the third quarter when Panthers outside linebacker Brian Burns sacked quarterback Lamar Jackson, who fell into Stanley’s left ankle. Stanley remained on the ground before being looked at by trainers and limping off the field.
Stanley was evaluated in the medical tent and taken into the locker room before being ruled questionable to return. Although coach John Harbaugh did not provide an update on Stanley’s injury after the game, Jackson said his teammate appeared fine and in good spirits in the locker room.
“I went into the locker room after the game and checked on him, but he said he was pretty good,” Jackson said. “He just told me don’t fall into him so it was me that hurt him. I’m a little pissed off about that.”
Stanley has faced a long and difficult recovery since fracturing his left ankle against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 1, 2020, just days after signing a massive fiveyear contract extension. After undergoing surgery, he returned for the Ravens’ 2021 season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, but he struggled in that game and eventually chose to have another season-ending surgery in October 2021. Stanley said in September that he also underwent a separate “major” lower-body operation.
The Ravens have been cautious with Stanley this season, keeping him sidelined until Week 5, when he played limited snaps in a win against the Cincinnati Bengals. He has looked more like his 2019 All-Pro form in his six starts this season, allowing no sacks on just two quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
Offensive lineman Patrick Mekari replaced Stanley after the injury Sunday. Rookie fourth-round pick Daniel Faalele has also played at left tackle this season after veteran Ju’Wuan James suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the season opener against the New York Jets.
Rookie safety Hamilton exits with knee injury
Ravens rookie safety Kyle Hamilton suffered a knee injury during Sunday’s game, dealing a blow to a defense that put together one of its best performances of the season.
The injury occurred at the 10:07 mark of the third quarter as Hamilton was being blocked on a screen pass to wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. The No. 14 overall draft pick was looked at by trainers before being helped off the field while favoring his left leg. After Hamilton was evaluated in the medical tent, he limped into the locker room under his own power.
Hamilton was initially ruled questionable to return but did not come back to the field. Harbaugh declined to provide an update on Hamilton’s status after the game.
The former Notre Dame star had been improving of late as a versatile and valuable piece of the Ravens’ defense. Hamilton was off to a strong start Sunday, totaling four tackles (one for loss) and a quarterback hit. Through nine games, he had 25 tackles (two for loss), two pass deflections, a sack and a forced fumble and entered Sunday as Pro Football Focus’ fourth-highest graded safety.
“We’re just now just tapping into things that he can do,” secondary coach Chris Hewitt said after the Ravens’ Week 9 win over the New Orleans Saints. “He’s a unique player.”
The safety spot already took a major hit when veteran Marcus Williams was placed on injured reserve last month with a dislocated wrist he suffered against the Bengals. Third-year pro Geno Stone has filled in for Williams alongside veteran Chuck Clark, while defensive back Brandon Stephens saw more playing time Sunday after Hamilton’s injury. Harbaugh said earlier this month that he was hopeful Williams would return in December.