Just as the Ravens offensive line was finding its footing in last week’s win at Dallas, some shuffling appears imminent for Sunday Night Football.
Left guard Andrew Vorhees (ankle) was officially designated as doubtful and Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum (knee) listed as questionable to play against the undefeated Buffalo Bills in Week 4. Linderbaum appears likely to play after practicing fully Friday, but Vorhees missed the entire practice week after hurting his left ankle late in the 28-25 win over the Cowboys. Neither player missed an offensive snap last Sunday.
Following Friday’s practice, head coach John Harbaugh said Vorhees’ status would go “right up until game time,” but it’s been years since a Baltimore player designated as doubtful actually went on to play in that week’s game.
It’s uncertain how the Ravens would proceed at left guard in Vorhees’ absence. Baltimore could move Patrick Mekari to that spot and start rookie Roger Rosengarten at right tackle, but backups Ben Cleveland and Josh Jones are also options at left guard. Capable of playing all five offensive line spots, the versatile Mekari has his least amount of experience at left guard with just 10 career snaps there in 2020, according to Pro Football Focus. Jones has played just 63 career snaps there — all with Houston last year — while Cleveland played 367 of his 372 career snaps at left guard during his 2021 rookie season.
Baltimore officially ruled out reserve cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis with a hamstring injury.
As expected, the Bills will be without middle linebacker Terrel Bernard (pectoral) and nickel corner Taron Johnson (forearm) on Sunday night.
After signing Yannick Ngakoue to the practice squad earlier this week, the Ravens have until 4 p.m. Saturday to decide whether to elevate the veteran edge rusher for Week 4. Harbaugh said Ngakoue looked good in practice and complimented the way he competed against starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley. Ngakoue hadn’t been with a team since ending last season on injured reserve with Chicago.
“It’s a lot of factors that go into that,” said Harbaugh about deciding when to activate the 29-year-old Ngakoue. “We have a lot of good young players rushing the passer too. It’s just going to be him being ready, which I’m very confident that he will be very soon and then the opportunity expressing itself. When it does, he’ll be out there, and I believe he’ll help us.”
Below is the final injury report for Week 4:
BALTIMORE
OUT: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring)
DOUBTFUL: G Andrew Vorhees (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: C Tyler Linderbaum (knee)
BUFFALO
OUT: MLB Terrel Bernard (pectoral), OT Tylan Grable (groin), CB Taron Johnson (forearm)
