OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens are not expected to have All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews or top running back Gus Edwards for Monday’s game at New Orleans after both were designated as doubtful on the final injury report.
(2:30 p.m. Sunday update — Andrews was downgraded to out and didn’t travel with the team to New Orleans.)
Though head coach John Harbaugh said Andrews was “progressing well” on Saturday, the two-time Pro Bowl selection didn’t practice all week as he continues to nurse shoulder and knee injuries. Andrews played only 10 snaps in the Week 8 win at Tampa Bay and left the game after injuring his right shoulder in the second quarter. Even before Andrews hurt his shoulder, a knee issue had limited him to just one practice over the previous two weeks, meaning the bye is coming at a good time for him to get closer to 100% for the second half of the season.
Rookie tight end Isaiah Likely is again expected to play a major role after his breakout Week 8 performance that included six receptions for 77 yards and his first NFL touchdown.
“Isaiah is coming along nicely. He’s still learning this game. He has a high ceiling,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. “I think you’re going to see him develop pretty much every week over the course of time. There’s a lot about this NFL game that rookies have to learn on the fly. As a tight end in this offense, you have to learn a lot. He’s doing a nice job with that, but someone goes down, someone has to step up.”
Edwards hurt his hamstring early in the fourth quarter against Tampa Bay and sat out the entire practice week, meaning the Ravens will turn to the running back trio of Justice Hill, Kenyan Drake, and Mike Davis against the Saints. Running back J.K. Dobbins remains on injured reserve after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery late last month and isn’t eligible to return until Week 12.
Having already lost Rashod Bateman (foot) for the remainder of the season, the Ravens could be hurting even more at wide receiver against the Saints after veteran Demarcus Robinson was added to Friday’s injury report with a groin injury and didn’t participate in Saturday’s workout. Officially listed as questionable for Monday’s game, Robinson has played at least 45 snaps in three of the last four games and caught a season-high six passes for 64 yards in Week 8.
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While nothing will be made official until Monday afternoon, the 35-year-old DeSean Jackson is set to make his Ravens debut against the Saints. The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver has been on Baltimore’s practice squad since mid-October.
“Just knowing when my number’s called, it’s being prepared and in the playbook and doing the things I need to do to stay ready,” Jackson said. “If it’s my time, I’ll do what I need to do to help this team win games. That’s all that matters, and that’s what I’m here to do.”
After practicing fully all week, outside linebackers Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo did not carry a game status designation for Monday’s game. Harbaugh has already stated his expectation that Bowser will make his season debut, but he was more reluctant to say the same for the rookie Ojabo. The Ravens moved both to the 53-man roster this week after they worked their way back from Achilles tendon injuries.
Added to Saturday’s injury report as limited participants, outside linebacker Malik Harrison (foot) and offensive lineman Patrick Mekari (back) were designated as questionable for Monday night. Starting cornerback Marcus Peters (quad/knee) was also listed as questionable, but he practiced fully on Saturday and is expected to play against New Orleans.
Despite their injuries on the offensive side of the ball, the Ravens will have a major defensive addition on the field after acquiring two-time second-team All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith from Chicago earlier this week. Baltimore hasn’t expressed much concern about Smith’s understanding of the defense going into Monday night.
“He’s picked it up super fast, and he’s doing great with it,” Harbaugh said. “It’s translating really more than anything, so it will be a little bit [challenging] in the heat of battle. You have to worry about that a little bit in terms of just the terminology in the heat of battle, but everything he’s doing here, he’s done in Chicago basically — or anywhere else. He’ll be ready to roll.”
The Saints will be without four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) for the fourth straight game while veteran slot receiver Jarvis Landry (ankle) was listed as questionable for Monday night. Former Ravens running back Mark Ingram (knee) was also ruled out after sitting out the entire practice week.
8Below is the final injury report for Week 9:
BALTIMORE
OUT: WR Rashod Bateman (foot)
DOUBTFUL: TE Mark Andrews (knee/shoulder), RB Gus Edwards (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: OLB Malik Harrison (foot), OL Patrick Mekari (back), CB Marcus Peters (quad/knee), WR Demarcus Robinson (groin)
NEW ORLEANS
OUT: LB Chase Hansen (knee), RB Mark Ingram (knee), CB Marshon Lattimore (abdomen)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Jarvis Landry (ankle)
