With the Ravens taking down Indianapolis in a 24-16 win in the preseason opener on Thursday night, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. After the punt return game was a non-factor last season, LaJohntay Wester’s electric 87-yard touchdown represented more return yardage than any Baltimore punt returner’s total for 2024. The rookie added another 17-yard return and two catches for 41 yards. The job is his if he catches and secures the football.
2. Keaton Mitchell looked like his old self this offseason, but you wanted to see that in a game. While his 22-yard touchdown was extremely well blocked, he bounced outside and accelerated on his 23-yard run two plays earlier. He broke multiple tackles on nine carries for 68 yards. Great signs.
3. Your heart breaks when anyone suffers a gruesome injury, but sixth-round rookie Bilhal Kone was playing in his first NFL game and performing well before injuring his knee late in the first quarter. He can look to Mitchell for inspiration for the recovery ahead, but that was tough to watch.
4. The most notable first-half development for Tyler Loop was a tackle on kickoff, but he missed wide left — the theme when he’s missed in practice — from 46 yards in the third quarter before connecting from 52 late. Though John Harbaugh sounded unconcerned, you certainly don’t want any more preseason misses.
5. Speaking of misses, Baltimore’s quarterback play was brutal with Cooper Rush and Devin Leary going a combined 5-for-16 for 59 yards and two interceptions. The pass protection had issues, but that showing only reinforces how critical it is to keep Lamar Jackson healthy. Thank you, Captain Obvious.
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6. Malaki Starks and Mike Green may not have stood out on the stat sheet, but the first-round safety consistently appeared to be in the right place to make plays and the second-round edge rusher disrupted the pocket and deserved an assist on Adisa Isaac’s first-quarter sack. So far, so good.
7. The Ravens played three projected offensive line starters while Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum sat out. Left guard favorite Andrew Vorhees had a terrific block pulling on Mitchell’s touchdown run, but Daniel Faalele certainly won’t enjoy coaches reviewing him being flattened by Adetomiwa Adebawore and allowing a third-down sack.
8. Joseph Noteboom and Ben Cleveland looked the part as reliable backups, but the rest of the offensive line depth picture remains murky at best. It was interesting seeing 2024 practice-squad member and ex-Terp Corey Bullock start at center with Linderbaum sitting out. The backup center job is wide open.
9. You would have preferred to see more of an impact at inside linebacker from Trenton Simpson and Teddye Buchanan. In fact, undrafted rookie Jay Higgins easily flashed the most with a big hit, an interception, and a tipped pass in the fourth quarter.
10. Though Harbaugh noted a possible injury for Rasheen Ali, the second-year running back had a good night with a 69-yard kick return and 37 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries. He’s the No. 4 back, so it remains to be seen if there’s 53-man roster space for him.
11. With Baltimore holding out its top four cornerbacks, T.J. Tampa started and went the distance in his most extensive game experence after an injury-plagued rookie year. He was credited with six tackles and two pass defenses. Veteran corner Jalyn Armour-Davis also played well to fortify his roster standing.
12. Of the many starters and established backups the Ravens held out on Thursday, Tavius Robinson was probably the biggest surprise. Coaches continue to speak very highly of him, and that decision showed it isn’t just lip service. He’s set to be a significant part of the outside linebacker rotation.
