The Ravens’ preseason opener ended the way a lopsided August game should: with Baltimore in control and a 24-7 win over Philadelphia on Saturday evening. The score matters less than the tape, though, and there was plenty to take from a night that featured rookies flashing, a few roster battles coming into focus, and one more reminder that kicking drama doesn’t disappear just because it’s preseason.
Ja’Kobi Lane kept doing what he’s been doing all summer. The third-round rookie carried his training camp momentum into the game and continued to stack highlight plays. Baltimore likes the look of a 6-foot-4 X-receiver, and Lane knows the job isn’t anywhere close to finished.
“At the same time, I'm still going to be the same person every day, still come to work with my guys and rely on them just like they rely on me. I think being able to have that mindset every day, I'm just super blessed to be able to be in this position and rely on guys like this.”
On the other side of the roster picture, Tyler Loop had a rough night. The organization can talk up its confidence all it wants, but missing his first field goal - even in preseason - is going to put a brighter spotlight on him, especially seven months after the heartbreak in Pittsburgh. That kind of miss lingers.
Vega Ioane made his first preseason snap count in a big way. He opened his career with a down block on the nose tackle, then climbed to the second level for a block on a linebacker, and even got a hit in on a defensive back as the whistle blew. His 15 snaps weren’t perfect, but the first-round guard looked impressive.
The center competition also offered a clue. Danny Pinter played only the first two series, while Ethan Pocic didn’t come in until deep into the second half.
That lined up with what’s been showing up in practice, too. Pocic may close the gap as he gets healthier, but the Week 1 clock is already ticking.
Baltimore’s reserve-heavy defense made a strong case for itself. Keyon Martin stood out with a sack, a tackle for loss, and two more tackles in just 16 snaps. The undersized defender keeps showing up, and he looks like a real candidate for the dime package.
Matt Hibner added his own bright spot. The tight end showed the burst people have been waiting to see after a slow start to camp for that position group, and his 50 receiving yards in the opening quarter gave Baltimore a much-needed jolt. His blocking still matters for where this offense can go in 2026, but the receiving start was a good one.
Mike Green being out there was a slight surprise given how many others sat, and Jesse Minter made clear why he wanted him on the field: “I really just wanted to get him a bunch of snaps … working through it, working through it, playing normal downs, and playing passing downs.” Green’s growth still matters for how high this pass rush can climb.
Zion Young brought effort and a good motor, but the pass-rush pop wasn’t quite where you’d want it to be as he worked into the second half. In preseason games loaded with backups, early draft picks are supposed to separate a little more. Still, nothing here pointed to concern.
Joe Fagnano looked far more comfortable than an undrafted rookie usually does, especially considering he had rarely taken any 11-on-11 reps before Skylar Thompson’s recent injury. The interception late in the first half came on a throw across his body that he probably shouldn’t have made, but he also pushed the ball down the seam several times and showed real poise.
Elijah Sarratt had a solid rookie debut in Lane’s shadow, though the fumble brought back the kind of ball-security issues Baltimore has seen from Zay Flowers. A spring hamstring injury appeared to slow him earlier in the summer, but he’s been trending better lately.
Jay Higgins’ concussion leaves the inside linebacker group looking thin right now. With Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, and Teddye Buchanan all expected to sit again, the Ravens may need to bring in another depth piece before the Minnesota game.
And for all the focus on individual performances, the bigger picture still matters. Twenty-five notable players sat, so the result itself shouldn’t be overstated.
Even so, backups and rookies looking this polished says plenty about the coaching. Baltimore was penalized just three times, allowed only six first downs, and gave up zero third-down conversions.
That’s a clean night, no matter the opponent.
In Other News...
Ravens Fans Have A New Reason To Feel Better Up Front
Daniel Faaleles preseason debut with the Giants was a rough one, the kind of outing that can quickly change the tone around a roster spot battle. After following John Harbaugh from Baltimore to New York, Faalele landed on a one-year deal with partial guarantees and is trying to carve out a backup guard role, but his first live action against the Vikings did not help his case.
Back in Baltimore, the focus is already shifting to the next wave up front, and theres a different kind of optimism attached to Vega Ioane. The Ravens 2026 first-round pick made a strong first impression in his NFL debut, giving the club a fresh reason to feel better about the future of its line as the competition around him continues to sort itself out. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Suddenly Have A Real Roster Decision At Cornerback
Keyon Martin made the kind of first impression that can force a team to take a longer look, even in August. The undrafted cornerback was one of the more active players in Baltimores preseason opening win over Philadelphia, turning in a disruptive debut that gave the Ravens a little more to think about as they sort through the back end of the roster.
For a team trying to identify who belongs on the 53-man roster for 2026, Martins case is at least becoming more interesting by the day. Head coach Jesse Minter singled out Martin after the game for his playmaking ability and tenacity, and that sort of early praise usually means the competition at cornerback is getting a little less comfortable for everyone else. [Read more 🡒]