Mink: Tavius Robinson's broken foot, which will put him on the shelf for six to eight weeks, does create an even larger need at outside linebacker. The Ravens are down to just Kyle Van Noy, rookie Mike Green, and David Ojabo at the position.
For now, I expect Baltimore will promote Malik Hamm or rookie Kaimon Rucker from the practice squad to fill the void while they sort out their options.
The Ravens' next two games against the Bears and Dolphins will determine how aggressive they'll be before the No. 4 trade deadline and whether they're buyers or sellers.
General Manager Eric DeCosta traded for pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue at the deadline in 2020. Could he pull a similar move this year? I would never rule it out with DeCosta.
The defensive line is another area of need after the loss of Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) for the season. While the Ravens have been playing better up front in recent weeks, a big addition there could be a difference-maker that would not only help the interior pass rush, but could also help put opponents in more third-and-longs that would help get more pressures/sacks/turnovers.
The Ravens need to start affecting opposing quarterbacks more, and there are a variety of ways to do so. Getting Kyle Hamilton closer to the line of scrimmage helps, but I don't think Baltimore will stop there.
My gut says the Ravens won't take big swings like what it would take to pry outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux from the Giants or defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons from the Titans. Baltimore isn't in the business of parting ways with early draft picks. I would look at more modest options. A reunion with former guard Kevin Zeitler would be more in that range, but I think the Ravens would look internally instead for offensive line help.
But what about a different reunion? The Ravens reportedly tried to bring back Calais Campbell at last year's trade deadline, but Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel stepped in to shut it down. Could Campbell, who has three sacks for the last-place Cardinals so far this season, again be a target that could help on the defensive line and with pass rush?
Robertson: The Ravens love Emery Jones Jr.'s upside, but it may be a bit until the third-round pick is ready to suit up on gamedays.
After missing all offseason field work while recovering from shoulder surgery, Jones will practice for just the eighth time on Wednesday since he arrived in Baltimore. Tuesday was his first practice where he participated in pass protection, and even with a full slate of practice next week, that limited body of work may not be enough for him to dress against the Bears in Week 8.
"It's hard for a rookie to miss all of training camp, the beginning of the season, to come in in-season and truly get grounded in what we're doing," Offensive Line Coach George Warhop said Tuesday. "Even though you love everything about his upside, his toughness, how he's going about it in practice, that's a hard deal."
Whenever Jones is ready, he could immediately be in contention for a starting job. Head Coach John Harbaugh said Monday the team is "absolutely" considering changes to the offensive line, and with his versatility, the 6-foot-5, 320-pound LSU product could play guard or tackle. But until Jones is fully up to speed both physically and mentally, the Ravens aren't going to throw him into the fire.
"We wouldn't put a player out there until they're ready to be successful. That wouldn't be fair to the player or to the team or the fans or anybody," Harbaugh said.
Mink: Bateman has 11 catches for 120 yards and one touchdown through six games this season. I expected him to have more than that, but I'm not concerned. He didn't get off to a torrid start last year either.
Not having Lamar Jackson throwing him the ball has obviously been a huge factor the past two-and-a-half games. Once Jackson returns, so will the Ravens' big-play passing threat. That's where Bateman shines, and he can strike at any time.
I expect Bateman still has some big games ahead this season. He has learned patience over the years, and he doesn't seem to be fazed now.
"I think we're trying to do a good job of staying composed, but we understand where we're at," Bateman said last week. "We understand the tasks that we've got to do [and] the hole that we've got to get out of. We're all grown, so we'll go play football, and hopefully get out of this hole."
Robertson: With how depleted the Ravens' pass rush room is right now, the Ravens could use all the help they could get. Against the Rams, the Ravens' outside linebackers had zero sacks, hits, or hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.
That production and the sheer lack of bodies have left the Ravens turning over every stone to find pass-rush help.
Helping fill in for Roquan Smith the last two weeks, Simpson has played well, especially as a run defender. He had 10 tackles and one sack against Houston and nine tackles and a ½ sack against the Rams. Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr said the last two games were some of the best of Simpson's career and pointed out his versatility.
Simpson recorded 12 ½ sacks during his time at Clemson, where he played some SAM, but I wouldn't expect the Ravens to consistently trot him out there as a pass rusher. Harbaugh said earlier this season that Simpson could play SAM if needed, but with how productive he's been the last few weeks inside, he may be best suited to continue in that role.
