OWINGS MILLS, Md. — As star quarterback Lamar Jackson continues to look healthier, the Ravens have a new injury concern with their top defensive player ahead of Sunday night’s showdown with New England.
Two-time Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton was added to Friday’s injury report with an ankle issue and officially listed as questionable to play against the Patriots. That usually means an injury occurring during practice, and Hamilton was spotted walking gingerly in the locker room, according to The Baltimore Banner. Though the versatile defensive back has had more than his share of injury scares over his first four seasons, it typically takes a lot to keep Hamilton off the field, especially with Baltimore needing to keep winning just to qualify for the postseason.
The Ravens also listed left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee/ankle) and nose tackle John Jenkins (illness) as questionable for Week 16, but the former was able to log limited practices Thursday and Friday and head coach John Harbaugh said Jenkins “should be OK by game day” after dealing with a bug that’s been going around the locker room. Jackson missed Wednesday’s practice with what was listed as an illness, but he practiced fully Thursday and Friday and doesn’t carry a game status designation.
Baltimore listed veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie as doubtful after he injured his foot in last Sunday’s win at Cincinnati. To no surprise, inside linebackers Teddye Buchanan (knee) and Jay Higgins (knee) were ruled out as Buchanan will be placed on season-ending injured reserve in the coming days and the undrafted rookie Higgins was designated to return to practice from IR only a couple days ago.
The Patriots are banged up on defense entering Sunday’s game with starting inside linebacker and leading tackler Robert Spillane officially ruled out with an ankle injury. That’s a significant absence with New England also playing without standout defensive tackle Milton Williams, who will remain on IR until at least Week 17. The Patriots have struggled to stop the run since Williams injured his ankle in Week 11.
Four other New England defensive starters are questionable for Week 16, but defensive tackle Christian Barmore (knee) was the only one from that group not to log some practice time on Friday.
Below is the final injury report for Week 16:
BALTIMORE
OUT: ILB Teddye Buchanan (knee), ILB Jay Higgins (knee)
DOUBTFUL: CB Chidobe Awuzie (foot)
QUESTIONABLE: S Kyle Hamilton (ankle), DT John Jenkins (illness), OT Ronnie Stanley (knee/ankle)
NEW ENGLAND
OUT: ILB Robert Spillane (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: DT Christian Barmore (knee), CB Carlton Davis (hip), CB Marcus Jones (knee), OLB Harold Landry (knee)
