Injuries have been the dominant subject surrounding the Ravens this week. However, the primary focus must remain on winning.
Lamar Jackson, Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey, Chidobe Awuzie, and Patrick Ricard have been ruled out for the 1 p.m. game against the Houston Texans.
Kyle Hamilton, Ronnie Stanley, Odafe Oweh, and Devontez Walker are questionable.
That's a lot of talent, which means the Ravens will be severely shorthanded.
Will the Ravens overcome those injuries and win anyway? They need to. Starting 1-3 has put the Ravens in a tough spot, injuries or not. The Texans, who are also 1-3, and Ravens were division champions in 2024, but now they're both trying to avoid starting this season in a big hole. The Ravens need to get healthier. But in the meantime, they need to win.
"Nobody can hang their head and feel sorry for themselves," Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr said. "We're in the position that we're in. We're 1-3. We haven't been playing good football, specifically on defense.
"There's nothing we can change about that, because it's already happened. We can just change things about how we're going forward. So, that's all we're focused on doing."
Here are my thoughts on the Ravens heading into Sunday's game, all in 50 words or less:
- Cooper Rush doesn't have to be spectacular while making his first start at quarterback with the Ravens. No. 1, he needs to avoid turnovers. No. 2, he needs to get the ball in the hands of playmakers, and the Ravens have an abundance of them.
- Zay Flowers is one of those playmakers, and I think Rush should look for Flowers early and often. Through four games, Flowers is on pace to have 98 catches for 1,297 yards. He can make things happen no matter who's playing quarterback.
- An obvious expectation is for Baltimore to lean more heavily on Derrick Henry and its rushing attack. A strong running game can be a backup quarterback's best friend. As Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken said, "We need to be able to run it better and need to call it more often."
- I'm also looking for Isaiah Likely to become more involved offensively after not catching a pass against the Chiefs in his season debut. "He looked great out there and had a great week of practice," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "It was good to see him back. That's a big add for us."
- The Texans have two elite pass rushers at defensive end in Danielle Hunter (four sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (three sacks). If Stanley plays, he'll have his hands full, as will right tackle Roger Rosengarten. Rush has mobility, but he can't escape pressure the way Jackson can.
- Don't underestimate the importance of outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy's expected return to the lineup. The Texans' offensive line has struggled to protect quarterback C.J. Stroud, who's been sacked 10 times. Van Noy is a savvy veteran who knows how to exploit weaknesses.
- With Awuzie sidelined, I'm expecting veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander to be active after a three-game absence. Alexander is a proven playmaker who could help the Ravens in an area where they need to improve – forcing turnovers. Over his career, Alexander has shown a knack for providing a defensive spark.
- Undrafted rookie cornerback Keyon Martin could also see increased playing time with Humphrey sidelined. The Ravens' depth at cornerback is being tested and thank goodness they have it. Martin overcame long odds to make the team and is eager for his opportunity.
- It was good to see Travis Jones (knee) listed as a full participant Friday. With Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) lost for the season and Broderick Washington Jr. (ankle) on injured reserve, the Ravens need Jones to have his best year on the defensive front.
- Even without Smith and Madubuike, the Ravens' front seven needs to establish a more forceful presence, starting Sunday. "I think we are a physical team, but we have to take it up a notch," Orr said. "We have to start putting people in the ground, putting people in the dirt."
