As if it weren’t difficult enough to get excited about the final preseason game, the Ravens announced they would only be playing a handful of starters tonight against the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome.
Despite discussion of the reconfigured offensive line playing a series or two in the first quarter, coach John Harbaugh has elected to play it safe and not risk any injuries, meaning the starting line will see its first live-game action together against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 11. The only projected offensive starter playing in tonight’s game will be tight end Ed Dickson.
Defensively, the Ravens have elected to deactivate Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata, Jarret Johnson, and Cory Redding against the Falcons. Terrence Cody, Jameel McClain, Domonique Foxworth, Cary Williams, and the combination of Tom Zbikowski and Bernard Pollard — it’s still undetermined who will start at strong safety next to Reed — will be the only starters taking the turf in Atlanta.
That said, a number of veteran backups and rookies will be fighting for their roster lives as the Ravens conclude the preseason and make final decisions on the 53 men who will be taking the field against Pittsburgh 10 days from now.
Disappointment aside, join us in the Purple Haze live chat beginning at 7:30 p.m. as we talk about our expectations for the regular season and get a head start on Pittsburgh week. For the quickest updates and analysis, follow WNST on Twitter and be sure to subscribe to the WNST Text Service for all breaking Baltimore sports sent directly to your mobile device.
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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