The Baltimore Ravens officially placed centers Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic on injured reserve Saturday, finalizing the offensive line changes forced by injuries sustained in last week’s 34-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Baltimore also elevated guard Kyle Hergel from the practice squad, making him eligible to face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The move gives the Ravens another interior lineman as rookie first-round pick Vega Ioane prepares for his first NFL start at center. Gwyn, who won the starting job during training camp, reportedly sustained a fractured fibula against Dallas and is expected to miss multiple months. Pocic injured his knee after replacing Gwyn, forcing the Ravens to move Ioane from right guard to center during the game.
Placing both players on injured reserve means each must miss at least four games. Baltimore will face Tennessee, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh over that span before either center becomes eligible to return.
The injuries accelerate the Ravens’ apparent plan to make Ioane their center for the foreseeable future. The rookie has already started three games at guard, but Sunday will represent his first start at center. That assignment begins with one of the NFL’s toughest interior matchups: Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
We have placed C Jovaughn Gwyn and C Ethan Pocic on Injured Reserve.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 3, 2026
We have also activated G Kyle Hergel (standard elevation) from the practice squad ahead of tomorrow’s game.
Hergel joined Baltimore’s practice squad earlier this week and brings experience at both guard and center. Because he is being elevated rather than signed to the active roster, he will revert to the practice squad after the game.
Ioane’s move leaves Andrew Vorhees and Emery Jones Jr. as the leading options at right guard. Baltimore must decide which combination best protects Lamar Jackson without compromising a running game averaging 5.2 yards per attempt.
With the moves, this is no longer a one-week adjustment. Baltimore is beginning an extended stretch without its top two centers, placing significant responsibility on Ioane and the rest of a reshuffled interior line.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens place Gwyn, Pocic on IR and elevate guard Kyle Hergel
