Short on healthy cornerbacks, the Ravens have others who are ready to step up.

Undrafted rookie Keyon Martin and second-year player T.J. Tampa are two corners who may see increased playing time on Sunday when the Ravens host the Houston Texans.

Three Baltimore cornerbacks didn't practice on Wednesday – Marlon Humphrey (calf), Nate Wiggins (elbow), and Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring). Veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander hasn't played since Week 1, after missing almost a month of training camp managing his knee health.

Nobody in the Ravens' locker room is happy about the team's recent rash of injuries, but they're embracing the challenge.

Martin could be the Ravens' primary slot corner on Sunday if Humphrey doesn't play, and Martin emerged on the scene this summer like a bolt of lightning. He wasn't drafted out of Louisiana-Lafayette and was signed following a tryout at Ravens rookie minicamp in May.

A long shot to make the roster, Martin kept making plays. He had a sack in the end zone for a safety against the Dallas Cowboys and followed with a pick-six against the Washington Commanders in the preseason finale.

At 5-foot-9, Martin's dream of playing in the NFL never seemed too big for him. His father, Manny Martin, was a defensive back in the league who played five seasons with the Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills.

Martin saw from his father what it takes to make it, to cherish each rep in practice, to keep focusing like every day could be your last. Others were surprised when Martin made the team, but he wasn't. After playing 53% of the defensive snaps and notching five tackles against the Chiefs, Martin feels ready to build off that against the Texans.

"I'll have the same thoughts I have every week, to focus on my assignments and techniques, and to make plays," Martin said. "I think about how far I've come since the spring sometimes, but I always felt I was supposed to be here. It was always in me to play in the NFL. It's not shocking to me."

Baltimore's 1-3 start hasn't shaken Martin's confidence that the team will bounce back. He thinks the Ravens are closer to solving their defensive problems than it may appear.

"Defensively, the tape doesn't match the scoreboard when you watch it," Martin said. "It's just attention to detail. I'm pretty sure we're going to fix that this week, even though we've got some guys out. I'm excited for this weekend for the defense."

Martin has relied on vets like Humphrey, Awuzie, and Alexander for advice and has been tapping into that.

"We've got a lot of old heads in there," Martin said. "They're dropping knowledge every week. Sometimes they don't even know they're dropping knowledge, but they are. They've been in this business so long, it's natural for them."

Tampa played 20 snaps and had the Ravens' highest defensive grade (71.2) in Week 4 against Kansas City. The second-year cornerback will welcome more playing time if it comes his way.

"It's always sad to see [injuries]," Tampa said. "My teammates have worked as hard as anybody for their spot, but of course, the idea of me being able to play a bigger role, I'm all for it, and I'm ready."

A fourth-round pick in 2024 from Iowa State, Tampa stood out this year during training camp and the preseason, playing with more aggressiveness than he showed as a rookie. He and rookie safety Reuben Lowery III had the most interceptions on the team this summer.

Tampa's size (6-foot-1, 199 pounds), wingspan, and athleticism give him the ability to play press coverage effectively, and he's taking advantage of that.

"It built my confidence a lot," Tampa said of his performance during the summer. "[I'm] making sure I'm being more physical, being more around the ball, affecting the game."

While the injured corners are rehabbing to get back on the field as quickly as possible, the healthy corners plan to have their back.

"We're all talking to each other, making sure we're all on the same page and communicating like they were still here," Tampa said. "I'm feeling good. I'm confident, and I'm ready."

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