If you feel like the Ravens have been ravaged by season-ending injuries more so than other NFL teams, that's because they have.
As of Dec. 10, leading into last week's game against the Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore had a league-leading 18 players out for the season, which includes players on injured reserve and the physically unable to perform lists.
That number doesn't even include defensive lineman Chris Canty, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. And Head Coach John Harbaugh said tight end Crockett Gillmore will likely land on IR, too.
If Gillmore is indeed done for the season, he will become the 19th player on IR, which would tie team records under Harbaugh (2008, 2014).
"The Ravens will almost certainly surpass that number," wrote The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec.
How exactly does 19 lost players equate to salary cap dollars? I
It's a pretty big chunk, especially for the Ravens, who have lost key starters and leaders the Ravens paid to carry this team. The list includes their franchise quarterback, future Hall of Fame wide receiver, first-round draft pick and defensive leader.
In all, the Ravens have nearly $50 million sitting on the sideline, which represents more than one-third of the salary cap, according to Spotrac.com.
| PLAYER (19) | CAP HIT | CAP % |
| QB Joe Flacco | $14,550,000 | 10.33 |
| LT Eugene Monroe | $7,700,000 | 5.47 |
| TE Dennis Pitta | $6,200,000 | 4.40 |
| WR Steve Smith Sr. | $4,166,666 | 2.96 |
| OLB Terrell Suggs | $3,950,000 | 2.80 |
| C Jeremy Zuttah | $2,478,382 | 1.76 |
| S Matt Elam | $1,845,546 | 1.31 |
| DE Chris Canty | $1,735,000 | 1.23 |
| RB Justin Forsett | $1,600,000 | 1.14 |
| WR Breshad Perriman | $1,534,607 | 1.09 |
| CB Will Davis | $522,794 | 0.37 |
| RB Lorenzo Taliaferro | $460,204 | 0.33 |
| WR Darren Waller | $393,950 | 0.28 |
| WR Michael Campanaro | $391,522 | 0.28 |
| TE Allen Reisner | $333,000 | 0.24 |
| CB Julian Wilson | $321,000 | 0.23 |
| WR Cam Worthy | $318,833 | 0.23 |
| DT Micajah Reynolds | $318,000 | 0.23 |
| TE Chase Ford | $240,882 | 0.17 |
| Total | $49,060,386 | 34.85 |
Add in the $23.5 million of dead money the Ravens had to eat this season, including from Haloti Ngata and Ray Rice's contracts, and you're looking at upwards of $72 million of the $145 million overall cap number sitting on the sidelines.
That's about half of the Ravens' investment this season.
In order to compensate for the injuries (and poor play) the Ravens have had to drastically alter their overall roster. The folks at the Scott Garceau Show created this powerful visualization:
Players out for the season as of Dec. 10 (through Week 13),**per NJ.com**.
Ravens (4-8) -- 18
Steelers (7-5) -- 16
Giants (5-7) -- 15
Patriots (10-2) -- 15
Jaguars (4-8) -- 12
Cardinals (10-2) -- 12
Bears (5-7) -- 11
Chargers (3-9) -- 11
Saints (4-8) -- 11
Redskins (5-7) -- 11
Bills (6-6) -- 10
Texans (6-6) -- 10
Seahawks (7-5) -- 10
Lions (4-8) -- 10
Jets (7-5) -- 9
49ers (4-8) -- 9
Rams (4-8) -- 8
Colts (6-6) -- 8
Browns (2-10) -- 8
Eagles (5-7) -- 8
Titans (3-9) -- 7
Chiefs (7-5) -- 7
Vikings (8-4) -- 7
Packers (8-4) -- 6
Panthers (12-0) -- 6
Falcons (6-6) -- 6
Bucs (6-6) -- 6
Cowboys (4-8) -- 5
Broncos (10-2) -- 5
Raiders (5-7) -- 5
Dolphins (5-7) -- 3
Bengals (10-2) -- 3
McShay Has Ravens Taking Top DB With No. 4 Overall Pick
The 2016 NFL draft order hasn't even been solidified, but that isn't stopping ESPN's draft guru Todd McShay from assembling his first mock draft.
If the season ended today, the Ravens would have the No. 4 overall pick, and McShay has General Manager Ozzie Newsome selecting the top defensive back in the draft (when the junior officially declares) in Florida State's Jalen Ramsey.
"Ramsey can do it all in the secondary: match up in the slot, play center field and stuff the run," wrote McShay. "It's no surprise, then, that he's a terrific athlete, winning the ACC long-jump title as part of Florida State's track and field team earlier this year. One of the most complete players in this class, Ramsey would be a welcome addition to a Ravens secondary that has struggled the past few seasons."
Under McShay's scenario, one of the best available players matches one of the Ravens' top needs, as Baltimore's pass defense ranks 21st in the league. Plus, Head Coach John Harbaugh said he wants to move Lardarius Webb inside, so Ramsey could pair up with Jimmy Smith on the outside.
"He's a world-class athlete who has played cornerback, safety and even a hybrid linebacker position at Florida State," ESPN's Jamison Hensley said of Ramsey.
While Ramsey is lacking in the interceptions department, an area where the Ravens have also struggled this year, Hensley called the prospect an "undeniable playmaker."
"Even though the draft is 133 days away (April 28), the Ravens and Ramsey appear to be a perfect match," Hensley wrote.
Could This Be Ryan Mallett's Last Chance?
Newly-signed quarterback Ryan Mallett is back on his feet after a rough patch in Houston.
While he didn't get into details as to what went wrong with his former team, he owned up to unprofessional behavior, saying it was actually a good thing that he was cut from the Texans.
"It's been a tough road, but it's part of life," Mallett said. "I've grown up a lot. I acted immaturely some games in Houston. There were reasons for that, but it's not going to be discussed right now… The best thing probably was for me to get cut. I've learned a lot from it. It cut me down. A piece of humble pie but it digested real quickly. I'm just here to try and be a good teammate and contribute any way I can for the Ravens."
The Baltimore Sun's Jon Meoli wonders whether Baltimore will be the last stop in Mallett's NFL career if he doesn't prove he's learned from his mistakes.
"Baltimore has long been the NFL's last-chance landing spot, where players who might not otherwise get another opportunity in the league [to] jump-start their career[s] thanks to General Manager Ozzie Newsome," wrote Meoli.
Other players to whom Newsome has given second chances include safety Will Hill, running back Terrance West, tackle Bryant McKinnie and linebacker Rolando McClain.
Some of those gambles paid off, and some didn't.
With that in mind, while the Ravens believe Mallett has turned things around, Newsome seems to have protected himself contractually just in case.
Quick Hits
RB/KR Raheem Mostert has just been claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns. Was 4th in the League in return avg w/the Baltimore Ravens. — Brett Tessler (@TesslerSports) December 16, 2015
Andy Reid on Jah Reid :"Jah has been a great pick up for us." Reid has started multiple games at right tackle for the Chiefs this season. — Brian Bower (@sportguyRSR) December 16, 2015
