BALTIMORE — While the Ravens will wait another week to activate running back J.K. Dobbins, the return of three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters couldn’t have come at a better time as they face the speedy Miami Dolphins.
With Marlon Humphrey limited with a groin issue this week, Brandon Stephens inactive due to a quadriceps injury, and Kyle Fuller suffering a season-ending knee injury last week, the 29-year-old Peters will see his first game action since sustaining a torn ACL days before the 2021 opener last September. Peters has been practicing since Aug. 15, but Baltimore ramped up his activity slowly and ultimately held him out for Week 1. As the Ravens try to slow the formidable wide receiver duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, it remains to be seen how much Peters will play after logging only one full practice on Thursday and working on a limited basis Wednesday and Friday.
With Stephens out, general manager Eric DeCosta promoted veteran cornerback Daryl Worley from the practice squad to the 53-man roster to give the Ravens a fifth cornerback behind Humphrey, Peters, and rookies Damarion Williams and Jalyn Armour-Davis. Worley played in one game for Baltimore last year and has appeared in 70 games and made 54 starts over his seven-year career.
Dobbins went through a light workout a few hours before Sunday’s 1 p.m. kickoff, but the Ravens are remaining cautious with the third-year back, who tore the ACL, LCL, meniscus, and hamstring in his left knee and leg nearly 13 months ago. The 2020 second-round pick was a full participant in workouts this week for the first time since beginning his practice ramp-up on Aug. 8, a clear sign that he is getting closer and closer to returning to game action.
“The first day [of training camp], I feel like I could have been out there a week earlier or two weeks earlier. The guys had to stop me, pull me back,” Dobbins said Friday. “That’s why the Ravens organization, they know what type of person I am. I want to go, go, go. But with this knee injury, you’ve got to take it kind of slow sometimes. You’ve got to learn a little patience.”
As was the case in Week 1, former Dolphin Kenyan Drake is projected to receive the biggest workload among the active running backs, a trio that also includes Mike Davis and Justice Hill.
While three-time Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard was active despite missing two practices with a calf issue this week, veteran blocking tight end Nick Boyle was once again a healthy scratch in favor of Josh Oliver. Baltimore also deactivated rookie defensive tackle Travis Jones, who only returned to practice this week after suffering a knee injury in the second preseason game last month.
As expected after being listed as doubtful on the final injury report, left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) was inactive, paving the way for Patrick Mekari to start an NFL game at left tackle for the first time in his career. The versatile Mekari has also started games at center, right tackle, and right guard in his four-year career.
With wide receiver and special-teams contributor James Proche (groin) out, Baltimore elevated rookie receive Raleigh Webb from the practice squad on Saturday afternoon.
The Dolphins activated starting left tackle Terron Armstead despite the three-time Pro Bowl selection being limited with a toe injury this week.
Below were Sunday’s inactives:
BALTIMORE
RB J.K. Dobbins
CB Brandon Stephens
TE Nick Boyle
DT Travis Jones
WR James Proche
OT Ronnie Stanley
MIAMI
RB Myles Gaskin
WR Erik Ezukanma
QB Skylar Thompson
LB Channing Tindall
TE Cethan Carter
TE Hunter Long
