The Ravens will use August to sort through a few of the last roster questions before the real games begin, and their three preseason dates give them a clear runway to do it.
Baltimore opens at home against a team that, as the source notes, was “on top of the football world after winning Super Bowl LIX in dominating fashion” just a year and a half ago. That first exhibition will also be the first NFL action for the Ravens’ rookies, and third-round wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane is expected to draw plenty of attention after the noise he’s made over the spring and summer.
The second game brings a different wrinkle. The Ravens will see Minnesota shortly after a couple of joint practices against the Vikings, which should make that matchup feel a little more familiar than the usual preseason tune-up. It may also be the one where Baltimore gives its starters the most work, though the expectation remains that Lamar Jackson and Co. won’t see much time this early in the year.
The preseason wraps with a third game that follows another joint practice, this time against Washington. That finale arrives just before rosters are cut from 90 to 53 players on August 30, so it’s the last big stage for anyone on the bubble to make a case for Baltimore - or to put something on tape for another team.
Here’s how the three games line up:
- NBC10 in Philadelphia, WBAL-TV (Channel 11) in Baltimore
- WBAL-TV in Baltimore, Fox 9 in Minneapolis, or streaming via the ESPN App
- WUSA9 in the D.C. area, WBAL in Baltimore, or NFL Network
The preseason officially gets rolling Thursday evening when the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers meet at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Over the next nine days, every NFL team, including the Ravens, will have played at least one preseason game.
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Ravens Linebacker Depth Suddenly Feels A Lot More Important This Camp
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The move comes as the Ravens deal with injuries and limited preseason availability for some of their other linebackers, which has made every practice rep matter a little more. For a team that usually expects to be built on defense, adding Johnson is less about splash and more about keeping the position stable while camp keeps grinding forward. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Backfield Battle Behind Derrick Henry Is Suddenly Worth Watching
Training camp has a way of sorting out depth charts quickly, but Adam Randall has made Baltimores backfield picture a little more interesting behind Derrick Henry. The rookie has flashed enough versatility to draw positive attention, with his size, receiving ability and speed standing out as traits that could translate in a hurry if the Ravens decide he can handle more than just a limited role.
Jesse Minter has also noticed the way Randall has fit into the mix, which only adds to the intrigue around a backup job that is not settled yet. Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali are in the same conversation, but Randalls emergence gives Baltimore another candidate to consider as the team keeps sorting out who can best spell Henry when the games start to matter. [Read more 🡒]
Zay Flowers Injury Scare Leaves Ravens Waiting On A Crucial Answer
Zay Flowers gave the Ravens a scare during a 7-on-7 drill at training camp when the wide receiver came up with a leg injury and had to be checked by team trainers. The play briefly sent a ripple through practice, with Flowers favoring his left leg as he moved off the field, a reminder of how quickly camp can shift from routine reps to something more urgent for a team counting on its top playmakers.
Flowers was able to leave under his own power, which at least offered some initial relief as Baltimore waited for a clearer read on the situation. Coach Jesse Minter was expected to address the injury after practice, and the Ravens will be watching closely for what it means for a receiver who has become a crucial part of their offense. [Read more 🡒]