Dickson, McBean injured in preseason opener against Atlanta

Already dealing with the loss of Dennis Pitta for the rest of the preseason, the Ravens will now wait on the status of Ed Dickson after the tight end left Thursday’s game with a sprained right shoulder.
Dickson landed hard on the shoulder upon catching a 9-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco in the second quarter of the Ravens’ 31-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The third-year tight end will undergo an MRI on Friday and could be sidelined a few weeks, according to head coach John Harbaugh.
Dickson’s absence would leave tight ends Davon Drew and Billy Bajema at the top of the depth chart with undrafted rookies Bruce Figgins and Matt Balasavage behind them. Pitta is expected to return by the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery on his broken right hand last week.
The most serious of the injuries sustained Thursday appeared to have occurred to defensive lineman Ryan McBean, who was carted off the field with what’s feared to be a fractured left ankle. He will undergo an X-ray Friday to determine the extent of the damage.
McBean was tabbed to be a key member of the defensive line rotation and is already facing a three-game suspension due to a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Wide receiver Torrey Smith also suffered a sprained ankle in the preseason opener, but the injury is not believed to be serious.
Wide receiver Logan Payne (hip flexor) and cornerback Asa Jackson (hamstring) were also injured during Thursday’s game.
The Ravens deactivated 13 players due to injury-related concerns prior to their first preseason contest.