Injury woes remain a constant theme in the Baltimore Ravens’ preseason schedule: after already losing J.K. Dobbins for the season, the Ravens also lost No. 2 back, Gus Edwards, to a serious knee injury in practice Thursday. Starting cornerback Marcus Peters will also miss the season.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe two injuries likely happened in immediate succession, with Peters getting hit first and Edwards going down shortly after. Ravens coach John Harbaugh subsequently had practice ended early.
Subsequent tests confirmed a torn ACL in both players, so their season is over before it really got started.
For the Ravens, it’s another setback in an offseason that hasn’t had too much positive news lately. Edwards would have entered the season as the starter if only because J.K. Dobbins also tore his ACL in the final preseason game. Justice Hill will also be out for a long time in the backfield with an Achilles tendon injury.
What the Ravens have done so far
The Ravens had already signed Le’Veon Bell as an emergency backup last time, meanwhile, Devonta Freeman followed. Latavius Murray, recently released by New Orleans, is also said to be close to an agreement with the Ravens.
Embed from Getty ImagesPeters’ injury shakes up the secondary just before the start of the season; he’s actually a fixture in the secondary of the Ravens defense – a defense that relies heavily on man coverage and aggressive blitzing, and accordingly needs good cornerbacks. In addition, rookie receiver and first-round pick Rashod Bateman will miss at least the first few weeks of the season due to injury.
Fantasy Impact
This is a disaster beyond all expectations for all fantasy football players. Lamar Jackson can’t keep the run game going on his own. Thus, Le’Veon Bell should be activated from the Practice Squad. Devonta Freeman and Ty’Son Williams will share carries with him. So far, a clear lead back is not in sight. We should monitor the Baltimore situation closely and get one of the three from the waiver. I wouldn’t start any of them this week though.
Update
The Ravens signed Latavius Murray to a one-year deal today, paying him $2 million.
This will restock the Ravens backfield and Murray could be an interesting fantasy option, not just in deeper leagues.
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