Tote it up. From their original blueprint for the season, the Ravens lined up Monday night without cornerback Marcus Peters, safety DeShon Elliott, inside linebacker L.J. Fort, D-lineman Derek Wolfe, tackle Ronnie Stanley, tight end Nick Boyle, running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards and other expected contributors such as wide receiver Rashod Bateman, tackle Tyre Phillips, cornerback Chris Westry and linebackers Jaylon Ferguson and Daelin Hayes. Two more players, receiver Sammy Watkins and guard Ben Cleveland, left the game with injuries.
I know every team deals with it and the Ravens preach “next man up,” but having that many varied and key subtractions is bound to exact a toll in certain areas. I think you’re seeing it.
Injuries aren’t the whole story, of course. The Ravens’ starting inside linebackers are among the NFL’s lowest-ranked, according to Pro Football Focus.
But whatever the cause, the struggles of the defense and running game are having a destabilizing effect, putting a greater onus on Jackson to do his thing, which fortunately for the Ravens, is only becoming more and more remarkable.
