As the Ravens prepared to kick off the preseason against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night, they decided to hold out 14 players, including inside linebacker Ray Lewis.
Coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday the team would likely hold out some of its older veteran as Lewis and Reed became the two names many speculated would be rested in the first preseason game.
Despite missing practice time recently, wide receiver Jacoby Jones and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe are both active for Thursday’s game.
The team announced Brendon Ayanbadejo will start at inside linebacker, Emanuel Cook at free safety, and Sergio Kindle at outside linebacker for the first-team defense in place of Lewis, Reed, and Courtney Upshaw respectively.
Offensively, Michael Oher will start at left tackle, KelechI Osemele at right tackle, and rookie Gino Gradkowski at center for the offensive line. This means veteran Bryant McKinnie will play as a reserve and Matt Birk will not play as expected.
Here’s the list of inactives released via the Ravens’ official Twitter account…
Baltimore
LB Ray Lewis
C Matt Birk
LB Courtney Upshaw
CB Jimmy Smith
DE Arthur Jones
WR Patrick Williams
WR Tandon Doss
RB Bernard Pierce
LB Josh Bynes
LB Darryl Blackstock
OL Jah Reid
WR David Reed
TE Dennis Pitta
LB Terrell Suggs
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