Baltimore’s offensive line took another hit in Week 7, and this one landed in the middle of a drive that was already churning through the Bengals.
Rookie guard Vega Ioane left the game with a knee injury during Baltimore’s third possession, then was listed as questionable to return. Emery Jones Jr. stepped in for him after Ioane got up slowly earlier in the drive. The departure came after the third-down completion to Zay Flowers that covered 20 yards.
Could be wrong, but per tracking data, this is Vega Ioane's most recent snap.
Unclear what led to a knee injury. pic.twitter.com/acqgP5Cg8s
- Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) October 25, 2026
Without Ioane, the Ravens still found some rhythm moving the ball, but the trouble that has followed them in short-yardage situations showed up again when it mattered most. Baltimore put together an 18-play march that burned 11 minutes, yet inside the red zone the push vanished. Derrick Henry was stopped for 0 yards on consecutive inside runs, and a false start on fourth down pushed the offense into a Tyler Loop field goal.
Even with Ioane on the field, those issues have lingered. But this particular starting group - with Ioane, Cam Jurgens and John Simpson - had been doing enough to stabilize things.
That’s what makes the injury so damaging. Ioane has been the standout up front, good enough to enter the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation. If the knee issue is serious, it would be a brutal blow to a Baltimore offense already fighting through attrition.
The line situation has turned into a weekly survival exercise. Danny Pinter, Ethan Pocic and Jovaughn Gwyn are all out long term, while Andrew Vorhees has also missed time with a foot issue. Ioane would be the latest addition to that list.
By Sunday, Baltimore was already using its fifth different offensive line combination of the season, and this was only the team’s seventh game in 2026. Eric DeCosta made clear efforts to shore up the unit, but the injuries keep preventing it from settling in.
For now, the Ravens are waiting on Ioane, because they need him back. He has been their best offensive lineman, and replacing him - especially with Jones, who has struggled in 2026 - is no easy fix.
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