BALTIMORE — Meeting the NFL’s top-ranked rushing attack in a division showdown with Cleveland, the Ravens were without their top defensive lineman for Sunday Night Football.
Six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell was officially deactivated after being in the concussion protocol all week, a critical blow as Baltimore tried to slow Nick Chubb and the potent Browns rushing attack. Head coach John Harbaugh described Campbell’s progress as “encouraging” following Friday’s practice, but his inability to practice all week didn’t bode well for his chances of passing the protocol in time to play just a couple days later.
The news wasn’t all bad along the defensive line as nose tackle Brandon Williams made his return after a three-game absence due to a shoulder injury. During pregame warmups, Williams, Justin Ellis, and Justin Madubuike lined up as the starters along the base defensive line. On Saturday, Baltimore elevated defensive tackle Isaiah Mack from the practice squad for additional depth in the trenches.
The Ravens were also hurting in the secondary entering Sunday night as cornerbacks Chris Westry (thigh) and Jimmy Smith (neck) were officially deactivated. Both were listed as questionable on the final injury report, but Westry only saw very limited practice work on Friday while Smith was absent for the entire practice week.
Cornerbacks Anthony Averett (hamstring) and Tavon Young (foot/knee) were active despite both missing practice time early in the week. Needing more depth at the position against the Browns with both Westry and Smith sidelined, the Ravens promoted veteran cornerback Kevon Seymour to the 53-man roster on Saturday.
As expected, wide receiver Marquise Brown (thigh) was active after practicing all week on a limited basis. Brown sat out last Sunday’s win at Chicago. Also missing the 16-13 win over the Bears, quarterback Lamar Jackson (illness) was indeed active after practicing fully and not carrying a game status designation on Friday’s injury report.
Linebacker Malik Harrison (calf) was active and preparing to return to action after being reinstated to the 53-man roster from injured reserve on Saturday. The Ravens placed rookie safety Ar’Darius Washington (broken foot) on season-ending IR to make roster room.
For the Browns, wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones was active and poised to return to action after sitting out last week’s win over Detroit with a groin injury. On Saturday, the Browns activated starting right tackle Jack Conklin (elbow) and top backup running back Kareem Hunt (calf) from IR to further fortify their offense.
Below were the inactives for Sunday night:
BALTIMORE
DE Calais Campbell
CB Jimmy Smith
CB Chris Westry
OT Cedric Ogbuehi
WR Miles Boykin
TE Josh Oliver
CLEVELAND
WR Anthony Schwartz
FB Andy Janovich
S Richard LeCounte
DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
OT James Hudson
WR Rashard Higgins
DT Tommy Togiai
