ExtremeRavens Posted January 6 Posted January 6 With the Ravens having wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the first-round bye in the playoffs and home-field advantage through the conference championship game, Baltimore (13-3) used the opportunity to rest a handful of starters for Saturday’s regular-season finale against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers. As such, four starters were ruled out Friday and are inactive for the AFC North showdown: quarterback and NFL Most Valuable Player favorite Lamar Jackson (rest/coach’s decision), wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (rest/coach’s decision), cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) and guard Kevin Zeitler (knee/quad/coach’s decision). Outside linebacker Malik Harrison (groin), who was also ruled out Friday, and rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers (calf), who didn’t practice all week and was doubtful, are inactive as well. Safety Kyle Hamilton, who sat out last week’s game against the Miami Dolphins with a knee injury, is also inactive, while safety Daryl Worley (shoulder/ankle) was ruled out Friday. Cornerbacks Brandon Stephens (ankle), Arthur Maulet (hip) and Ronald Darby (illness), safety Ar’Darius Washington (pectoral) and reserve wideout and punt returner Tylan Wallace (knee), who were listed as questionable, are active. With several starters sitting out, there is an opportunity for players lower on the depth chart to step up. Cornerback Damarion “Pepe” Williams is expected to make his season debut, while fullback Ben Mason and offensive lineman Sala Aumavae-Laulu could both receive their first NFL snaps. Quarterback Malik Cunningham, who coach John Harbaugh said could be involved at wide receiver and special teams, could also make his Ravens debut after being signed off the New England Patriots’ practice squad last month. The Steelers (9-7), meanwhile, can still make the playoffs win or lose, though a victory makes the path easier. A win and a Tennessee Titans victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, or a Dolphins win over the Buffalo Bills, or a tie between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts would get them in. But Pittsburgh will again be without their top two safeties with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Trenton Thompson both inactive. Both have missed the past two games. That means veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson will likely play safety. Others inactive for Pittsburgh are: offensive tackle Dylan Cook, cornerback Darius Rush, inside linebacker Blake Martinez, defensive end DeMarvin Leal and quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who is the team’s emergency quarterback. Mason Rudolph, who started the season as the third-string quarterback behind Kenny Pickett and Trubisky, will start. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.