BALTIMORE — Though Ronnie Stanley said he was “very close” to returning to game action this week, the Ravens left tackle wasn’t ready in time to suit up against Buffalo on Sunday.
After practicing fully on Wednesday and Thursday — the first time he’d done that since returning to the practice field on Sept. 5 — and being listed as questionable on the final injury report, Stanley was inactive, paving the way for rookie fourth-round pick Daniel Faalele to make his first career start at left tackle with the versatile Patrick Mekari (ankle) also sidelined. Including the postseason, Stanley has now missed 31 of Baltimore’s last 32 games, a stretch spanning the last 23 months since he originally injured his left ankle on Nov. 1, 2020, just two days after the 2019 All-Pro selection signed a five-year, $98.75 million contract extension through 2025.
“We don’t want to rush things. We want to make sure that I’m able to play and to be here for the whole season,” Stanley said after Thursday’s practice. “I think things are going really well. Things are going according to plan. I want to be out there. I want to be out there as soon as I can, and the whole organization has kind of taken this approach. We’re all on the same page about making sure I’m ready to go when I do get out there.
“I’m itching to get out there with my teammates.”
With the Ravens light at offensive tackle, David was elevated from the practice squad to serve as the swing tackle behind Faalele and right tackle Morgan Moses.
As anticipated after being designated as doubtful to play with a groin injury sustained against New England last Sunday, outside linebacker Justin Houston was deactivated for Week 4. However, veteran newcomer and three-time Pro Bowl selection Jason Pierre-Paul was active and set to make his Ravens debut. Despite officially signing with the Ravens less than a week ago and having not spent the spring or summer with a team, the 33-year-old made his Week 4 intentions clear on Friday.
“I’ll be ready this Sunday,” Pierre-Paul said. “I’ll definitely be ready.”
Fellow edge defender and former Gilman star Brandon Copeland was elevated from the practice squad to provide additional depth for the second straight game.
With veteran cornerback and special-teams contributor Kevon Seymour promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Saturday, fourth-round rookie cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis was a healthy scratch against Buffalo. Armour-Davis served as the starting third corner against the Patriots last week, but he was benched after struggling through nine defensive snaps in the opening quarter.
After dealing with a crowded injury report throughout the week, the Bills activated safety Jordan Poyer (foot), wide receiver Gabe Davis (ankle), cornerback Dane Jackson (neck), tight end Dawson Knox (back/hip), and center Mitch Morse (elbow), who were all listed as questionable on Friday’s final injury report. However, starting defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle) was inactive, leaving Buffalo light on the defensive line with Jordan Phillips (hamstring) also sidelined for Week 4.
Below were the Week 4 inactives:
BALTIMORE
OT Ronnie Stanley
OLB Justin Houston
OL Patrick Mekari
CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
RB Kenyan Drake
BUFFALO
DT Ed Oliver
DT Jordan Phillips
WR Jake Kumerow
TE Tommy Sweeney
CB Christian Benford
OL Justin Murray
