OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens will be without four-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson for Sunday’s home tilt against Tennessee.
Following Friday’s practice, head coach Jesse Minter announced Hendrickson underwent a surgical procedure this week, which explains why he hadn’t practiced since last Sunday’s win over Dallas in Brazil. The 31-year-old edge rusher injured his finger in the Sept. 13 opener in Indianapolis and played with his right hand heavily taped in each of the last two games.
“We were able to get the finger fixed. We think [the absence will] be very, very short term,” Minter said. “But just in a quick way to get that fixed and get him back, we think that’s going to best for us moving forward long term.”
Hendrickson has registered one sack, four tackles, and three quarterback hits over his first three games for Baltimore since signing a lucrative four-year, $112 million contract in March. Pro Football Focus has credited him with a team-high 14 pressures this season.
The news was encouraging for veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who was officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game after sitting out Week 3 with a lingering toe injury. Stanley, 32, was able to practice on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday before the Ravens rested him Friday.
“He had a really good two days. I think he’s in a good position, but we’ll kind of see … later today and tomorrow just to make sure how he’s feeling,” Minter said Friday. “But I do think he was able to get a good amount of work in, and we wanted to kind of give him the best opportunity going into the game.”
Wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) was also officially listed as questionable, but he practiced fully Thursday before Baltimore elected to limit his reps in Friday’s workout with a non-injury rest designation. The star wideout is aiming to play his first full game of the season against the Titans after returning to action on a limited snap count against the Cowboys last week.
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As expected, centers Jovaughn Gwyn (ankle) and Ethan Pocic (knee) were ruled out with long-term injuries that are expected to land them on injured reserve. Those roster moves could come by 4 p.m. Saturday with the option to then designate either to return later this season after a minimum absence of four games.
Rookie right guard Vega Ioane is set to make his first start at center after shifting there in an emergency capacity in the fourth quarter of the 34-31 win over the Cowboys.
“He’s handled it really well. Kudos to him really just for the mentality and willingness,” Minter said. “It’s a lot to throw on a player, and he’s handled it really well. He’s put in, I don’t want to say extra time because he puts in a really good amount of time every week, but more [of] a different type of preparation playing that position.
“It’s really on everybody to help him out. When you’ve got a guy playing a new spot, [the question] is, ‘Can everybody lift up just a little bit to take some of those added weights and pressures off of him?’ But I expect him to play really well this game.”
As expected, quarterback Lamar Jackson (back) was not listed with a game-status designation after being limited in Wednesday’s practice. The two-time NFL MVP practiced fully Thursday and Friday.
The Titans listed starting safety Kevin Winston Jr. (shoulder) and backup running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Below is the final injury report for Week 4:
BALTIMORE
OUT: C Jovaughn Gwyn (ankle), OLB Trey Hendrickson (finger), C Ethan Pocic (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Zay Flowers (hamstring), WR Chris Moore (ankle), OT Ronnie Stanley (toe)
TENNESSEE
QUESTIONABLE: RB Tyjae Spearks (ankle), S Kevin Winston Jr. (shoulder)
