The Baltimore Ravens will only have four defensive linemen available for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Rookie Aeneas Peebles was deactivated as a healthy scratch, putting the defensive line in a tough spot. Travis Jones, Brent Urban, John Jenkins, and C.J. Okoye will have to stay fresh and healthy for 60 minutes.
The Ravens have been down this path before, and it seems like a risky one. Even a single injury along the defensive line could tank the entire unit. Stopping the run and allowing
long drives have been two of the defense’s biggest issues this season. Having only four defensive linemen makes the first harder and the second more dangerous; by the fourth quarter, who is still going to have legs?
Rookie Carson Vinson is also a healthy scratch for the fifth time in six games. He was active last week with Ronnie Stanley sidelined, but a clean bill of health for all three of the Ravens’ OTs will keep Vinson on the sidelines.
The rest of the Ravens’ absences were ruled out prior to the game. Cooper Rush will start in place of Lamar Jackson and Teddye Buchanan in place of Roquan Smith. It will likely be T.J. Tampa in place of Chidobe Awuzie, though the Ravens’ secondary shake-up this week could result in some different looks.
The Rams’ inactives feature zero Pro Bowlers, though an absence from starting right tackle Rob Havenstein may offer some opportunities to the Ravens’ edge rushers. The loss of linebacker Omar Speights is unlikely to have a major impact.
Otherwise, the Rams are essentially at full strength for Sunday’s game and will look to improve to 4-2 to keep pace in the NFC West.
