BALTIMORE — Do what you’re supposed to do.
That’s the message for the first-place Ravens as they welcome winless Cleveland to town for Thursday Night Football, the first prime-time game played in Baltimore since Sept. 11, 2014. Baltimore is looking to move back over .500 in its second game in five days while Cleveland is trying to avoid falling to 0-10, which would be the worst start in franchise history.
As expected, the Ravens will be without five-time Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda, who was listed as doubtful and has now missed three of the last four games with a left shoulder injury sustained on Oct. 9. Though he returned to action and did not miss a snap against Pittsburgh on Sunday, Yanda once again being sidelined is a significant concern for an offensive line struggling to perform at a high level in 2016.
After starting two games in place of Yanda earlier this year, reserve Ryan Jensen was a healthy scratch. Based on pre-game warmups, it appeared that veteran Vlad Ducasse would receive his first start with the Ravens at right guard. Ducasse was cut by Baltimore at the conclusion of the preseason and then re-signed on Oct. 11 as injuries on the offensive line piled up.
The 29-year-old has made 22 starts in seven NFL seasons with previous stops with the New York Jets, Minnesota, and Chicago.
This marks the sixth different combination that the Ravens have started on the offensive line this season. That’s not as crazy as Cleveland’s run on quarterbacks this year, but it’s hardly ideal, a major reason why the Baltimore offense has struggled so much in 2016.
There were no surprises among the Ravens’ other inactives after linebackers Elvis Dumervil (foot) and Kamalei Correa (thigh), cornerback Shareece Wright (hamstring), and tight end Crockett Gillmore (thigh) were already declared out on Wednesday. Wright’s absence has opened the door for rookie Tavon Young to seize control of the starting cornerback job opposite veteran Jimmy Smith.
The Browns ruled out starting cornerback Jamar Taylor on Wednesday, leaving the NFL’s 23rd-ranked pass defense with less depth in the secondary.
Thursday’s referee is Jerome Boger.
According to Weather.com, the Thursday forecast in Baltimore calls for clear skies and temperatures in the low 50s with winds up to five miles per hour.
As part of the NFL’s “Color Rush” initiative for Thursday games, the Ravens are wearing special purple jerseys with gold numbering as well as purple pants and purple socks for the first time in franchise history while the Browns don white tops with white pants and white socks. Some of the gold number is difficult to ready, but anything’s better than the mustard-colored pants worn last season, right?
Thursday marks the 36th meeting between these AFC North foes with Baltimore enjoying an overwhelming 26-9 lead in the all-time series. The Ravens are 13-4 at home against the Browns and are aiming for their 11th season sweep over the AFC North opponent.
Below are Thursday’s inactives:
BALTIMORE
G Marshal Yanda
LB Elvis Dumervil
CB Shareece Wright
TE Crockett Gillmore
LB Kamalei Correa
OL Ryan Jensen
DL Willie Henry
CLEVELAND
QB Joe Callahan
CB Jamar Taylor
LB Corey Lemonier
OL Gabe Ikard
OL Jonathan Cooper
WR Jordan Payton
DL Xavier Cooper
