By Austin Medina
Injuries have began to pile up an extremely inopportune time.
The Ravens secondary has been a strength of the defense the previous two seasons. Last week the Ravens went into Kansas City to take on the league's top passer, albeit down two cornerbacks.
Corners Tavon Young (neck) is most likely out for the season and Jimmy Smith continues to nurse his knee injury. With Smith's availability uncertain for this Sunday against Cleveland, another cornerback has joined the injury report.
Ravens injury report Thursday:DID NOT PRACTICETE Mark Andrews (foot)CB Jimmy Smith (knee)S Brynden Trawick (elbow)ILB Otaro Alaka (hamstring)LIMITED PARTICIPATIONCB Marlon Humphrey (hip)
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 26, 2019Cornerback Marlon Humphrey has been dealing with a hip injury endured during the Ravens 33-28 loss to the Chiefs. Humphrey, who was a limited participant Thursday, is arguably Baltimore's best cornerback and would be a huge loss if he cannot play Sunday vs. the division rival Cleveland Browns.
Earl Thomas notes that on the Mecole Hardman long bomb, Marlon Humphrey wasn't in the game. He says the young guys have to get up to speed.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) September 25, 2019The Browns have an excess in talent, particularly at the skills positions. Over the offseason, they acquired star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants. Remember the last time Baltimore faced off with OBJ?
The Ravens sold out on a fourth and 1 to win the game, and Odell Beckham Jr. made them payhttps://t.co/ewKzW4LOVo pic.twitter.com/DgYVQebDAn
— mansur--️ (@MansurShaheen) June 11, 2017Even before trading for Beckham Jr., the Browns had success in the passing game against the Ravens last season. In two games, quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 718 yards and four touchdowns. Of course the Ravens made Mayfield earn it, as they picked Mayfield off four times and held him to complete just 56% of his passes.
All that being said, the Ravens secondary will have their hands full with Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, and Rashard Higgins.
Ideally, Humphrey is ready to go this Sunday and encouraging news on Smith comes about.
If the Ravens are without Humphrey, they will line up corner backs Brandon Carr, Anthony Averett, and Cyrus Jones in a division showdown.
