The Ravens are heading into Sunday’s trip to Buffalo with a few moving pieces, but there’s at least one encouraging sign coming out of practice: rookie offensive lineman Vega Ioane missed just one session after suffering a sprained MCL in last week’s home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
That update matters because there had been real concern that Ioane might be shelved for a while. As Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported on X, formerly Twitter: “People that have been around him big-time rave about the toughness of #Ravens first-round rookie offensive lineman Vega Ioane.
This will add to it. There was initially concern he could miss a few weeks due to the sprained knee but he’s pushing hard to try to get back as soon as Sunday vs. the Bills or next Thursday against Jacksonville, sources tell (CBS Sports,”
The fact that he was only out for one practice says plenty about how quickly he’s trying to work back.
Ioane has been an important part of Baltimore’s offensive line, which recently got a lift with the trade for center Cam Jurgens from the Philadelphia Eagles. That move came after Tyler Linderbaum left for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency this past offseason.
The Ravens are also expected to get Lamar Jackson back under center after he missed three games with an ankle injury, and that return could be huge for an offense that sputtered badly in the second half against Cincinnati. Baltimore was outscored 35-0 after halftime in that game.
Sunday’s kickoff against the Bills is set for 1:00 pm ET in Buffalo.
In Other News...
Eli Manning Just Reminded Ravens Fans What Made Ed Reed Special
Eli Manning recently took Ravens fans back to a familiar kind of nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, recalling what it was like to face Ed Reed when the Hall of Fame safety was at his peak. Manning said the early film study could create the wrong impression, but Reeds intelligence and ball skills quickly made him look like anything but a target, which is exactly what separated him from so many other defensive backs of that era.
The memory that stood out most came from a 2004 meeting in Baltimore, when Manning had one of the roughest outings of his career against the Ravens and Reed helped make sure of it. Reeds season that year ended with Defensive Player of the Year honors and First-Team All-Pro recognition, a reminder of how often he turned preparation into production and why quarterbacks still talk about him with a mix of respect and regret. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Playmakers Could Feast In Buffalo For One Big Reason
The Ravens head to Buffalo with playoff stakes hanging over the matchup, and the timing could be just right for Baltimores passing game to make noise. Lamar Jackson is expected back after missing three games with an ankle injury, which changes the complexion of the offense immediately and gives the Ravens a much different look than theyve had lately. Against a Bills defense that has had trouble holding up against the pass, Baltimore has reason to believe its playmakers can find space in the red zone.
Zay Flowers is among the names to watch most closely, especially with the Ravens likely needing efficient production through the air to keep pace in a game that should matter deep into the AFC race. Dalton Kincaid and JaKobi Lane also fit into the broader picture of a matchup where touchdown opportunities could come from several directions. For Baltimore, the appeal is simple: if the passing game is clicking and Buffalo keeps leaking yardage through the air, the Ravens have multiple ways to turn that into points. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Red Zone Problems Are Raising Bigger Questions Entering A Critical Week
The Ravens red zone issues have become hard to ignore, and they arrive at a moment when the offense is still trying to find its footing around Lamar Jacksons return. Baltimore has shuffled through multiple offensive line combinations, and the lack of consistency has shown up in the way the unit has operated near the goal line, where the passing game has been used sparingly and the margin for error has shrunk.
Vega Ioanes knee injury only adds another layer to the problem, pushing the Ravens into yet another starting line setup as they head into a critical week. The timing matters because the offense is not the only concern, either. Baltimores defense has also been under pressure, with the numbers pointing to trouble generating heat on the quarterback and getting off the field on third down, which leaves the team searching for answers on both sides of the ball. [Read more 🡒]