The Baltimore Ravens overcame the New York Jets 24-9 in their season opener. It marked a good start to a promising season for the Ravens. Since then, however, the team has dealt with injuries, the end of Lamar Jackson’s contract talks, and the usual gameplanning leading up to Week 2’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Here’s a roundup of all the news for the Baltimore Ravens in the past week.
Baltimore Ravens News Roundup: Lamar Jackson, Injuries, Miami
Week 1 Recap
Despite a sluggish start, the Ravens were able to overturn the Jets by a convincing score-line. Lamar Jackson finished the game 17-of-30 for 213 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He carried the ball six times for just 17 yards.
After an entire offseason of Isaiah Likely hype, Jackson’s standout receiver was Devin Duvernay, an unlikely hero. Duvernay finished the game with 54 receiving yards and two touchdowns, catching all four of his targets. Rashod Bateman caught the other touchdown, doing his best Marquise Brown impression on a 55-yard bomb in the third quarter. Mark Andrews was the only other notable receiver, recording five catches for 52 yards.
The run game was anaemic for the Ravens, though it was not for lack of trying. J.K. Dobbins was ruled out of the game on the day, leaving Kenyan Drake to be the lead back. Drake tallied 11 carries but managed just 31 yards. Mike Davis and Justice Hill also saw reps at running back. The weak run game meant that the Ravens were ineffective in creating play action opportunities.
The weak run game could perhaps be attributed to the struggling offensive line. Ronnie Stanley was ruled out for the game, meaning Ja’Wuan James started at left tackle. His day was cut short by an Achilles injury, however. The struggling interior of the offensive line were dominated by Quinnen Williams and John Franklin-Myers.
While the Ravens offense was weak, their defense saw some standout performers. Michael Pierce and Justin Madubuike created constant pressure on Joe Flacco and the defensive line was generally effective at stuffing the run too. New signing Marcus Williams also gave fans something to cheer about, snagging an interception on his debut. Justin Houston and Chuck Clark were both impressive too.
Lamar Jackson Contract Talks Have Stalled
Though Ravens fans will be in high spirits after the convincing win, there is no doubt that Jackson’s contract situation is a major source of concern. The Ravens failed to agree a contract extension with the 2019 NFL MVP before the deadline last Friday, meaning Jackson is now playing on the final year of his deal.
With the season now begun, Jackson seems to be entirely focused on the team and his own performances. Indeed, Jackson reiterated this by telling media that he “respectfully” is no longer talking about his contract. This is a relief for Ravens fans, though many will be eager to have Jackson locked up for the long term.
It is rumoured that Jackson turned down a $250 million extension with $133 million guaranteed. The guaranteed money is more than Russell Wilson’s new deal, and more than Kyler Murray’s too, but nowhere near the $230 million guaranteed that Deshaun Watson is earning. It is believed that Jackson would like more guaranteed money than what the team are currently offering. But the Ravens are likely reluctant out of fear of injury, given Jackson’s abrasive play style.
So, what next for Jackson and the Ravens? Previously, Jackson had expressed his expectation that he would spend his entire career in Baltimore. As far as is known, this sentiment has not changed, so expect more contract talks to ensue after the end of the season. One way or another, it seems likeliest that Jackson and the Ravens will continue negotiating until an agreement is reached. The odds that Jackson is traded is extremely low, unless his relationship with the franchise sours through the season. Equally unlikely is Jackson leaving the team as a free agent in 2023. At the very least, the Ravens would franchise tag their star man.
Kyle Fuller and Ju’Wuan James on Injury Report
Both Fuller and James landed on the injury report after suffering injuries during the game versus the Jets. Both are season ending, meaning neither player will return for the remainder of the campaign.
To bolster the depth at secondary, the Ravens signed veteran T.J. Carrie to the practice squad. While Fuller will be missed, the team is saturated with talent at the position. Veteran Kevon Seymour would be a viable starting option, but others may prefer to see rookie Damarion ‘Pepe’ Williams play more after his outstanding preseason. The team also drafted Jalyn Armour-Davis in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, though he is expected to take longer to get to NFL level.
James started at left tackle for the Ravens in place of Stanley, who is recovering from ankle surgery. The hope is that Stanley will be back soon to aid the struggling Ravens offensive line. In the likely event that James cannot play in Week 2, the Ravens will roll with Patrick Mekari at left tackle.
In other injury news, J.K. Dobbins is expected to play in Week 2 against the Dolphins. His return will undoubtedly be a boost to the run game.
Looking Ahead to Week 2 Versus the Miami Dolphins
The Ravens face off against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 of the regular season. The Dolphins were also victors in Week 1, defeating the New England Patriots 20-7. Tyreek Hill looked particularly impressive on his Dolphins debut, and Jaylen Waddle was a force to be reckoned with as per usual. The defense was also excellent, recording one interception, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one touchdown.
In 2021, the Dolphins shocked the Ravens with a 22-10 win. Their defense came out with a unique game plan and limited the prolific Baltimore offense. In a fixture that is often full of surprises, this one is too tight to call. Both teams are riding high off wins and both teams look stronger than they were last season.
Week 2 is also Baltimore’s first game at home. A ceremony to remember the Tony Siragusa and Jaylon Ferguson will precede the football. Both passed away earlier in the off-season.
