OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Before revealing wide receiver Rashod Bateman would undergo season-ending foot surgery on Thursday, the Ravens also practiced without All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews as concerns will persist about their passing game for the foreseeable future.
Head coach John Harbaugh called Andrews’ shoulder injury “not a major, major thing” at the start of the week, but it remains to be seen whether Baltimore’s top pass catcher will be available for the Monday night meeting with New Orleans. Considering the Ravens have their bye in Week 10 and Andrews was already dealing with a knee injury before hurting his right shoulder in last week’s win at Tampa Bay, exercising caution would be the wise move for a first-place team enjoying a favorable schedule over the second half of the season. Andrews’ absence would once again lead to more opportunities for rookie tight end Isaiah Likely, who had a breakout performance with six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown against the Buccaneers in Week 8.
Running back Gus Edwards was also absent from Thursday’s workout with Baltimore needing to determine whether it’s worth having the physical runner try to push through a minor hamstring strain before the bye week.
The good news on Thursday was the full practice participation of outside linebackers Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo, who were both moved to the 53-man roster earlier this week. While the rookie Ojabo (Achilles tendon) appears more likely to make his NFL debut later this month, Bowser is on track to make his season debut after working his way back from the Achilles tear he sustained in the 2021 season finale. The return of their most complete outside linebacker will be a welcome development for a Ravens defense chasing consistency.
“The expectation is for him to play,” Harbaugh said. “What does he bring? All of the things that you’ve seen before. He’s a very versatile linebacker. He brings you a linebacker skillset and a pass rush [and] edge skill set. All the things that that entails, that’s what he does.”
Of course, the loss of Bateman will put an even brighter spotlight on the remaining wide receiver group, which could include the 2022 debut of three-time Pro Bowl selection DeSean Jackson. The 35-year-old signed to the practice squad in mid-October and will attempt to bring a much-needed outside speed element to the passing game over the second half of the season.
Harbaugh acknowledged it’s “a good possibility” that Jackson will be elevated to play against the Saints on Monday night.
“We’re going to keep seeing how he’s doing, but I personally think he’s probably ready,” Harbaugh said. “If he’s ready two days from now, then he’ll be out there.”
New Orleans continues to deal with its own health concerns as three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Michael Thomas is set to undergo toe surgery and isn’t likely to play again this season, according to head coach Dennis Allen. The Saints also continued to practice without four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who has been sidelined with an abdomen injury since Week 5.
Veteran slot receiver Jarvis Landry (ankle) returned to practice on a limited basis after missing the last four games.
Below is Thursday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: TE Mark Andrews (knee/shoulder), WR Rashod Bateman (foot), DE Calais Campbell (rest), RB Gus Edwards (hamstring), OLB Justin Houston (rest), OT Ronnie Stanley (rest)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB Marlon Humphrey (hamstring), CB Marcus Peters (quad/knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION: OLB Tyus Bowser (Achilles), ILB Josh Bynes (quad), OLB David Ojabo (Achilles)
NEW ORLEANS
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: RB Mark Ingram (knee), CB Marshon Lattimore (abdomen), WR Michael Thomas (foot)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: LB Chase Hansen (knee), WR Jarvis Landry (ankle), C Eric McCoy (shoulder), DT David Onyemata (thigh), OT Ryan Ramczyk (rest/knee), TE Adam Trautman (ankle)
