The Baltimore Ravens’ plans at center took a hard hit on Wednesday when Danny Pinter went down with a torn patellar tendon during joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings. The injury happened in Eagan, Minnesota, and Pinter was carted off wearing a full-leg brace, a painful scene for a player who had been lined up to take over after Tyler Linderbaum’s move to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Pinter had been getting most of the first-team reps at center throughout training camp, which made him look like a key piece of the Ravens’ offensive line picture. Now, that role is suddenly up for grabs.
Coach Jesse Minter didn’t have a firm update when asked about Pinter’s condition, saying, "We'll see how that shakes out."
With Pinter sidelined, Baltimore is turning to Ethan Pocic and Jovaughn Gwyn as the main options to step in. Pocic, a 10-year veteran who signed a one-year deal with the Ravens, is now viewed as a strong candidate to win the job. Gwyn has also made a push, with Minter pointing to his strong showing in preseason action, including against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Baltimore still has more work ahead before the roster gets locked in. The Ravens are set to face the Vikings on Saturday, August 22, and will also have a joint practice with the Washington Commanders before trimming the roster to 53 players on August 30.
For now, the center battle has turned into one of the team’s most important unresolved decisions, with the Ravens hoping the competition sorts itself out in time to steady the offensive line before the regular season.
In Other News...
Kyler Murrays First Vikings Test Left Plenty For Fans To Process
Joint practices always have a way of cutting through the noise of training camp, and Minnesota got a useful snapshot of where its passing game stands against Baltimore. Kyler Murray was given plenty of work ahead of the regular season, and his first day brought a mix of sharp moments and some uneven stretches, especially when the offense had to operate in tighter windows.
There was still enough to remind Vikings fans why the exercise matters. Murray hit a few deep balls and closed the day on a high note with a late touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson, the kind of finish that leaves room for optimism even if the day itself did not look polished from start to finish. As with similar August tests in the past, the real value may come in what gets cleaned up before the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Camp Has Exposed Two Concerns Fans Cant Ignore
The early stretch of Vikings camp has offered plenty of reminders that August is rarely a straight line. Minnesota has had stretches where the quarterback play looks encouraging and others where the offense seems stuck searching for rhythm, leaving a mixed impression as the club inches toward the season opener. Even with the starters showing signs of being a legitimate strength, the overall feel has been uneven enough to keep attention on how quickly the group can settle in.
Minnesotas biggest concern may be what happens behind the first wave of defenders. The starters on that side of the ball look sturdy, but injuries and a thin veteran presence have made the depth chart feel a little too fragile at safety and on the edge. With roster decisions and player readiness still in flux, the Vikings are heading into September with a few questions that no one around the team can quite ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Have 3 Preseason Battles That Suddenly Matter A Lot
The Vikings got their first preseason look against the Giants, but the game did not settle much beyond the fact that plenty still hangs in the balance. A second tune-up against the Ravens should help sharpen the picture, especially along the lines, where rookie defensive linemen Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange are trying to make their presence felt and Blake Brandel is being watched closely as he continues working at center.
Quarterback remains the biggest subplot of all. Kevin O'Connell has already labeled J.J. McCarthy the backup, but the way the job is being handled suggests the team is still sorting through its comfort level there, with Carson Wentz also in the mix. With roster decisions drawing closer, Minnesota's next preseason test suddenly feels less like a warmup and more like a checkpoint for a few spots that could shape the final depth chart. [Read more 🡒]