Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins could be in line to make his season debut, but the cornerback situation appears to be tenuous heading into the Ravens’ home opener against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 18.
Dobbins is officially questionable on the final injury report, but he has been a full practice participant all week and met with the media after practice Sept. 16, suggesting he is in line for his first game action since tearing his ACL in the 2021 preseason finale at Washington. Dobbins finished his rookie year in 2020 with 805 rushing yards and scored in his last six games, and he is expected to be the centerpiece of the Ravens’ ground game.
Head coach John Harbaugh would not elaborate on the status of injured players, deferring to the team’s injury report.
Dobbins and the other running backs, though, might not have their top lead blocker; fullback Patrick Ricard missed two practices this week with a calf injury and is listed as questionable.
The situation at cornerback, though, could be of greater concern against a Dolphins passing attack featuring wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Marlon Humphrey (groin) was injured in practice on Thursday, and he and Brandon Stephens (quad) both missed practice on Friday. They are listed as questionable. This comes after veteran Kyle Fuller suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 1 win against the New York Jets. Cornerback Marcus Peters, who like Dobbins missed the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL, practiced fully Thursday — for the first time this season — and he was limited again Friday. He is also questionable.
In a worst-case scenario, the Ravens would be without their top four projected cornerbacks for this game. In a best-case scenario, they still might need to lean on rookie fourth-round picks Pepe Williams and Jalyn Armour-Davis.
“They’d be ready,” Harbaugh said. “They look good, but they’re rookies. So it’d be a new experience for them, but they’ve worked hard. They’re talented guys.”
Each played briefly in the Ravens 24-9, season-opening win agaist the Jets. Williams played 13 defensive snaps, and Armour-Davis played three.
“They’ll be out there playing in the game both on defense and special teams, no matter what the numbers end up being,” Harbaugh said.
The Ravens also could elevate a defensive back from the practice squad; options include Daryl Worley, Ar’Darius Washington or T.J. Carrie, signed earlier this week.
Tackle Ronnie Stanley did not practice Thursday as he continues to ramp up to full work, and he is officially doubtful for this week. With Ja’Wuan James (Achilles) suffering a season-ending injury in Week 1, it appears super-utility lineman Patrick Mekari will be in line to start. That would be Mekari’s 26th career start, at his fourth different position. He started 12 games at right tackle last year and has also made 10 starts at center and three at right guard.
“He plays well at every spot,” Harbaugh said, “and now he’s playing left tackle, arguably the physically toughest position to play on the offensive line. So [we’re] very grateful that he’s on our team.”
Wide receiver James Proche is also doubtful with a groin injury after missing two practices this week.
The Dolphins are also dealing with injuries, especially on the offensive line. Starting right tackle Austin Jackson has been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, and starting left tackle Terron Armstead (toe) is questionable.
Backup tight end Cethan Carter is the only Dolphins player ruled out, with a concussion.
Here is the full final injury report:
RAVENS
OUT: None
DOUBTFUL: WR James Proche (groin), T Ronnie Stanley (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: RB J.K. Dobbins (knee), CB Marlon Humphrey (groin), DL Travis Jones (knee), CB Marcus Peters (knee), FB Patrick Ricard (calf), CB Brandon Stephens (quad)
DOLPHINS
OUT: TE Cethan Carter (concussion)
DOUBTFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: RB Salvon Ahmed (heel), T Terron Armstead (toe), TE Hunter Long (ankle), DT Christian Wilkins (back), WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (toe)
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