The Ravens will be without their top offensive lineman for Thursday night’s crucial matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium.
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who injured his knee in last week’s loss to the Cleveland Browns and did not practice all week, was ruled out Wednesday for the AFC North showdown. Patrick Mekari will start in his place.
It will mark the fourth missed game this season for Stanley, a 2019 All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection who signed a five-year, $112.8 million extension in 2020 that makes him one of the highest paid offensive linemen in the NFL. That includes the Ravens’ Week 2 game in Cincinnati, which Baltimore hung on to win, 27-24.
Still, his absence could be problematic for the Ravens (7-3), who will get back right tackle Morgan Moses after he missed two games with a shoulder injury. Earlier Wednesday, Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, whose 8 1/2 sacks are the fifth-most in the NFL, was not given an injury designation, meaning the 28-year-old two-time Pro Bowl selection will play after suffering a knee injury in Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans.
The Bengals (5-4) will, however, be without a pair of starters in defensive end Sam Hubbard (ankle) and wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring). Higgins (27 catches for 328 yards and two touchdowns) and Hubbard (four sacks) both missed Sunday’s game against Houston. Rookie wide receiver Charlie Jones, who returned a punt for a touchdown against the Ravens in Week 2, is questionable with a thumb injury.
Baltimore, meanwhile, will also be without rookie linebacker Trenton Simpson, a regular on special teams, after he suffered a concussion in last week’s loss to the Cleveland Browns. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who did not practice all week with a calf injury suffered Sunday, is doubtful. Brandon Stephens, Rock Ya-Sin and Arthur Maulet are the Ravens’ top cornerbacks behind the three-time Pro Bowl selection Humphrey.
Four other Ravens are questionable: left guard John Simpson (illness/shoulder), wide receiver Devin Duvernay (hamstring), outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (groin) and safety Daryl Worley (hamstring). Among that group, only Duvernay did not practice Wednesday, meaning rookie running back Keaton Mitchell could be the Ravens’ kick returner if Duvernay is unable to go.
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