Ravens Hope To Have Most Defensive Backs Available Against Patriots

Coming off an epic defensive meltdown last week in a 42-38 loss to Miami, the Ravens (1-1) hope to have most of their defensive backs available for the Week 3 matchup at New England, but running back J.K. Dobbins and tackle Ronnie Stanley could still be at least a week away.

Four defensive backs — Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Brandon Stephens and Pepe Williams — have been limited in practice this week and are listed as questionable, but all practiced fully on Friday. Stephens (quad) missed the Miami game, and Humphrey tried to play through a groin injury, but he was on the sideline for much of the Dolphins’ stunning comeback in which they scored 28 fourth-quarter points on four passing touchdowns, including 48- and 60-yarders. Williams left the game late with an ankle injury.

Head coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week that he anticipated that some injured cornerbacks could return this week. (Kyle Fuller is on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 1.)

Dobbins, meanwhile, has been a full practice participant for the past two weeks. He was inactive last week and is listed as questionable once again.

Asked after the team’s workout on Sept. 23 about Dobbins’ potential availability, Harbaugh said, “You’ll know it when you see it. … [He’s] working hard, I’m happy how he’s working. We’ve got certain parameters we’re looking at and things like that. It’s not going to be too long.”

Whenever he returns, Dobbins should give a lift to a rushing attack that has struggled to find any traction this year. The Ravens’ running back trio of Mike Davis, Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill totaled 28 yards on 14 carries against Miami and has averaged 2.6 yards a carry.

Stanley (ankle) missed practice on Friday with what Harbaugh deemed a “recovery day,” and the All-Pro left tackle is officially doubtful as the team awaits his 2022 debut.

“It’s kind of week-to-week, day-to-day,” Harbaugh said. “It comes back to him feeling like he’s going to be playing at his best. That’s really what it boils down to. … I think he’s in great shape. Maybe the best shape I’ve seen him.”

“When he feels like he’s ready to go out there and be Ronnie Stanley at his best, then he’ll be out there,” Harbaugh added.

Devin Duvernay, who sustained a concussion against Miami last week, has been cleared to play, Harbaugh said. He has no injury designation. Duvernay already has three touchdowns this season, two receiving in the season-opening win against the New York Jets and a 103-yard kickoff return last week.

Rookie tight end Isaiah Likely has been limited in practice all week by a groin injury and is questionable. The Ravens could turn to Nick Boyle, who has been inactive in each of the first two games. Boyle this weekend returns to the site of his 2020 knee injury that has hampered his career ever since.

For the Patriots, leading wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (knee) is questionable with a knee injury after missing two practices. Myers has 13 catches for 150 yards through two games. Starting safety Kyle Dugger (knee) also missed two practices this week and is one of eight Patriots who are questionable.

Here is the full, final injury report:

RAVENS

OUT: None
DOUBTFUL: T Ronnie Stanley (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: RB J.K. Dobbins (knee), CB Marlon Humphrey (groin), TE Isaiah Likely (groin), CB Marcus Peters (knee), WR James Proche (groin), CB Brandon Stephens (quad), CB Pepe Williams (ankle)

PATRIOTS

OUT: None
DOUBTFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: S Joshuah Bledsoe (groin), DB Cody Davis (calf), S Kyle Duggar (knee), DL Davon Godchaux (back), LB Raekwon McMillan (thumb), WR Jakobi Myers (knee), CB Jalen Mills (hamstring), S Adrian Phillips (ribs)

Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox

Bo Smolka

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