The Ravens could be getting one of their top playmakers back on Thanksgiving.
Wide receiver Rashod Batman has a chance to play in next week's game against the Bengals, Head Coach John Harbaugh said Friday.
"He's progressing well," Harbaugh said. "He'll have a chance for that, and we'll have to see how that goes."
Bateman hasn't practiced since suffering an ankle sprain against the Vikings in Week 10. After the game, Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers was fined $17,389 for unnecessary roughness on what appeared to be a hip-drop tackle on Bateman.
With Bateman ruled out Sunday against the Jets, DeAndre Hopkins, Tylan Wallace, and Devontez Walker will likely have increased roles like they did last week against Cleveland.
Ravens, Brandon Stephens Eager to Face Each Other for First Time
The Ravens will see a familiar face in M&T Bank Stadium Sunday when Jets cornerback Brandon Stephens makes his return to Baltimore.
After spending the first four years of his career with the Ravens, Stephens signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Jets this offseason.
The former fourth-round pick has been a critical piece of New York's defense and is tied as the eighth-highest-graded cornerback among players who have played at least 50% of defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
"I've seen him on tape – he's playing really well," Harbaugh said. "I am very proud of him. But he's on the other side in this next game, and we respect him. It will be a great competition."
Stephens has missed just one defensive snap all season and leads the Jets with seven pass defensed. He attributed some of his success to his time in Baltimore.
"I had a lot of vets in my career when I was there that really showed me the ropes, and so that's something I'll be forever grateful for," Stephens said Wednesday via NewYorkJets.com. "To get me to the point where I am here now – here I am in Year 5. So, truly grateful for them."
As for how the Jets' defense plans to stop Lamar Jackson and co., Stephens said the Jets are prepared as well as they can be.
"We have a good game plan for that," Stephens said, "but it's going to take everybody doing their job and all hats to the football. That's what we preach every week. We just have to play our technique, play our keys, have good eyes, first and foremost, and that should take care of it."
Limiting Breece Hall Will Be a 'Big Point of Emphasis'
With wide receiver Garrett Wilson on injured reserve, running back Breece Hall headlines the Jets' offensive weapons.
Hall is 12th in the league in rushing yards (722) and is averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He, along with quarterback Tyrod Taylor and backup running back Isaiah Davis, will lead New York's ground attack, which is fifth in the league.
Keeping the speedy Hall from breaking one loose will be at the top of the defense's mind. Only two NFL running backs have more explosive runs of 20+ yards than Hall's seven.
"All these guys can run through tackles," Harbaugh said. "They can all bring a defense in and [then] boom, take it outside to the edge really quickly – you saw that last week as well – or [they can] take it to the back door on you and get past you. Those are things we have to account for. … It's a big point of emphasis in this game."
David Ojabo Is 'Earning More and More Playing Time'
David Ojabo played a critical role as one of the Ravens' three healthy outside linebackers earlier this season. Even with the addition of Dre'Mont Jones at the trade deadline, Ojabo is still making an impact.
Harbaugh has liked what he's seen from Ojabo in his limited reps. The former second-round pick had two tackles in 19 snaps against Cleveland last week and has nine tackles and a 0.5 sack this season.
"I think he's playing very well, in terms of what he's been asked to do," Harbaugh said. "He's been out there a lot on first and second down, on run downs and what we call 'get back on track' in any second-and-medium to second-and-long downs. He's done well. I think he's done a really good job. He's earning more and more playing time as he goes, [and] it's good to see."
