OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After logging a second straight week of full practice, Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins has to be nearing a return to game action.
But head coach John Harbaugh wasn’t ready to say it would come against the New England Patriots on Sunday. Nearly 13 months removed from sustaining a torn ACL and other damage to his left knee, Dobbins was officially listed as questionable on the final injury report for the third straight week.
The 2020 second-round pick out of Ohio State began practicing on Aug. 8.
“I’m just going to have to leave that for when the time comes,” said Harbaugh about Dobbins’ game status. “You’ll know it when you see it — let’s put it that way. He’s working hard. I’m happy how he’s working. We’ve got certain parameters we’re looking at and things like that. It’s not going to be too long.”
Part of what they’re looking at is player tracking data with the Ravens able to measure how well Dobbins is moving compared to before his injury when he led all NFL running backs at just over 6.0 yards per carry as a rookie in 2020. While the organization understandably remains cautious with the 23-year-old, Ravens tailbacks are averaging just 2.55 yards per carry with Baltimore ranking last in the NFL in rushing efficiency over the first two weeks of the season, according to Football Outsiders.
Six other players were designated as questionable to play against the Patriots, a list including cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey (groin), Marcus Peters (knee), Brandon Stephens (quadriceps), and Damarion Williams (ankle). However, all four defensive backs practiced fully on Friday, which is typically an indication of a player being good to go for game day.
Rookie tight end Isaiah Likely (groin) was also listed as questionable after practicing on a limited basis all week.
Harbaugh announced wide receiver and return specialist Devin Duvernay was officially cleared from concussion protocol and will play in Week 3. Neither quarterback Lamar Jackson (right elbow) nor defensive tackle Travis Jones (knee) carry an injury designation for Week 3 with both practicing fully. If activated, Jones would make his NFL debut against the Patriots.
On Friday afternoon, the Ravens announced their one-year agreement with three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul, who will officially join the team early next week upon the completion of a physical. Despite undergoing February shoulder surgery and having not been with a team since finishing the 2021 season with Tampa Bay, the 33-year-old Pierre-Paul is expected to be ready to play sooner than later after visiting with the Ravens on two different occasions dating back to early June.
“We have a pretty good idea that he looks good. It’s just going to be how he looks out there really at practice,” Harbaugh said. “As soon as he’s ready, he wants to play — I know that. He’s not coming in here to take a lot of time to get ramped up. I don’t think that’s in his mind right now, so as soon as he looks like he’s ready to go, he’ll be out there.”
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) is officially doubtful and will miss his 19th straight game on Sunday, a streak dating back to Week 2 of the 2021 season. However, he was able to log back-to-back days of limited practice this week before using Friday as a recovery day. That marked the first time the 28-year-old Stanley had participated on consecutive days since returning to the practice field on Sept. 5.
Including the postseason, the 2019 All-Pro left tackle has missed 29 of the Ravens’ last 30 games since sustaining a serious left ankle injury that’s required multiple surgeries.
“I really think it’s kind of getting to the point where it’s kind of week-to-week, day-to-day-ish,” Harbaugh said. “Again, it comes back to him feeling like he’s going to be playing at his best. That’s really what it boils down to. He’s very sound, very strong. He’s in great shape — maybe the best shape that I’ve seen him in some ways since he’s been here. … When he feels like he’s ready to go out there and be Ronnie Stanley at his best, then he’ll be out there.”
The Patriots officially listed eight players as questionable for Sunday, but top wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (knee) and starting safety Kyle Dugger (knee) both returned to practice on a limited basis on Friday after sitting out the previous two days. Reserve linebacker Raekwon McMillan (thumb) was the only member of New England’s 53-man roster not to participate in Friday’s practice.
Below is the final injury report for Week 3:
BALTIMORE
DOUBTFUL: OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: RB J.K. Dobbins (knee), CB Marlon Humphrey (groin), TE Isaiah Likely (groin), CB Marcus Peters (knee), WR James Proche (groin), CB Brandon Stephens (quadriceps), CB Damarion Williams (ankle)
NEW ENGLAND
QUESTIONABLE: S Joshuah Bledsoe (groin), S Cody Davis (calf), S Kyle Dugger (knee), DL Davon Godchaux (back), LB Raekwon McMillan (thumb), WR Jakobi Meyers (knee), CB Jalen Mills (hamstring), S Adrian Phillips (ribs)
