OTL: Injuries to Keep an Eye On, Suddenly

Thursday’s practice was supposed to be a normal, exciting one, with the idea of the Ravens continuing to get healthier. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, as two big names got added to the Injury list.

Ravens practice report
DNP: DT Michael Pierce (illness); CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (illness)
Limited: RB Keaton Mitchell (hamstring); WR Rashod Bateman (back)CB Marlon Humphrey (hamstring)
Full: WR Odell Beckham (rest/knee), RT Morgan Moses (shoulder), S Marcus Williams (hamstring)

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) November 9, 2023

I will not sugarcoat it: if Marlo and/or Keaton Mitchell miss any time, this will seriously affect the Ravens’ ability to win these next two games.

This piece was initially supposed to be about praising these two players, but now we do so with the specter of their missing time hanging over our heads.

Let’s start with Marlon Humphrey. Many Ravens fans have been griping about his play, but those complaints are totally baseless.

Marlon Humphrey is quietly having one of his best seasons.

Here’s where his productivity/opportunity numbers rank amongst every NFL corner:

-18 targets
-9 receptions
-89 yards allowed
-9.8% target rate
-4.9 yards per target (6th)

pic.twitter.com/ZiE9RaXC4u

— Lamar & Order: RPO (@moneymarlo44) November 9, 2023

Yes, he allowed a touchdown in his first game back against the Steelers, but before we criticize a player for doing something, let’s get our facts straight. It was a Cover-0 with Marlon on an island with George Pickens; considering it was his first game back all season, given the circumstances, we can hardly blame him. This is probably where the negativity comes from, but outside of this touchdown, he has been lockdown.

Losing Marlon for any extended period would be a huge blow, no matter how good others are doing or how many pieces are coming back in the secondary.

As for Mitchell, losing him would take away much of the Ravens’ ability to generate explosive runs.

Ravens OC Todd Monken said that RB Keaton Mitchell has earned more opportunities. pic.twitter.com/uyiUwFHQuF

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) November 9, 2023

Mitchell is well on his way to getting more touches and becoming the second running back behind Gus. Look, Gus had an amazing angry run, and Justice Hill is also present, but these guys don’t have the extra juice that Mitchell has. It was already going to be tough to generate explosive plays against the Browns’ defense, but now we have this injury to worry about. Here’s hoping Keaton’s rest was just precautionary, and he’s ready to be out there.

If either of these two miss time, replacing them becomes priority number one. It will be easier to replace Marlo compared to Mitchell. The reason? The return of Marcus Williams.

Ravens practice participation report:
DNP: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Rest/knee); NT Michael Pierce (illness)
FULL: RT Morgan Moses (shoulder).
S Marcus Williams is off injury report.
Encouraging mid-week injury report for Ravens ahead of a divisional matchup with Browns.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) November 8, 2023

He has no injury designation, and his return will boost the secondary even more. With Geno Stone leading the NFL in interceptions and Kyle Hamilton able to return to being Mike Macdonald’s do-it-all chess piece, Williams’ return should send a shiver down the spines of opposing offenses.

This has been pretty negative, so let’s flip it because the Ravens aren’t the only team dealing with many injuries, as the Browns are also going through some of their own.

LT Geron Christian (who was on his couch 9 days ago) and RT James Hudson if Jones is a no go. Yikes https://t.co/R2XHSeLewE

— Stuckey (@Stuckey2) November 9, 2023

That sound you hear in the distance, that’s the Ravens defensive line licking their chops. They have been a menace already this year, but now you add that the Browns are currently on third-stringers on the OL. That offense was bad anyway, and this might be a nightmare for them.

It won’t be easy to replace Mitchell and/or Marlon, but if they miss time, the Ravens must get creative.

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