During Wednesday’s joint practice against the Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens’ center Danny Pinter was carted off the field after suffering a knee injury. The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec reported that Pinter appeared to get rolled up on and was seen wearing a brace on his right leg.
While being loaded onto the cart, Pinter was surrounded by Ravens teammates.
Following practice, head coach Jesse Minter said there was no immediate
update regarding Pinter’s injury specifics. Any time a player has to be carted off the field, it’s fair to expect the worse. However, as we saw just recently with Ravens’ cornerback Nate Wiggins, it’s not always a sign of a serious injury.
Pinter was signed to a one-year contract earlier this offseason. Given his lack of starting experience in the NFL, many viewed the acquisition primarily as a means to acquire depth at the center position prior to making a bigger splash. While it’s been a continued open competition with himself, Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic, Pinter has performed solidly throughout the summer and received the majority of starting reps in training camp. He also started at center in the team’s preseason opener last week.
In the event that Pinter’s injury sidelines him for an extended period of time, the aforementioned Gwyn and Pocic remain next in-line to assume starting duties. Corey Bullock was thought to have a legitimate chance to compete for the starting center job as well, but an injury at the onset of training camp set him back and he appears more likely to settle at offensive guard.
After the Ravens signed Pocic a few weeks ago, he was widely expected to quickly slide in as the starter. However, the Ravens have brought him along slowly in his return from a torn achilles and he’s yet to seize the No. 1 spot. Instead, it’s been Gwyn who has made the strongest impression. Gwyn had an excellent showing against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 of the preseason and has performed well in practice, too.
Nevertheless, the center position was already the biggest question mark and position battle on the Ravens’ roster, and Pinter’s injury only adds greater uncertainty. His prognosis will be much anticipated.
