NFL camp openers: Ravens are kneed at RB, CB positions

Jul 27, 2017 - 4:11 AM OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- When the full Baltimore Ravens squad reported here Wednesday (July 26), knee injuries were already impacting what needs attention during the next few weeks of training camp.

On Tuesday, running back Kenneth Dixon had surgery to repair a medial meniscus and head coach John Harbaugh confirmed Wednesday that he will miss the entire season. The team signed Bobby Rainey to add depth.

Dixon was already suspended for the first four weeks for violating the NFL rules on performance-enhancing drugs.

Meanwhile, the season-ending knee injury to incumbent starting slot cornerback Tavon Young opened a heated battle for that job.

Maurice Canady, Brandon Boykin and Lardarius Webb are the top candidates to assume that role. Boykin previously thrived in that position with the Philadelphia Eagles before missing last season with a torn pectoral.

Webb adds a veteran presence and knows the Ravens' system. Canady, a second-year player, showed playmaking potential last season before he was placed on reserve/injured with a hamstring injury in Week 4. However, Boykin appears to be the early favorite to win the job because of his experience at that position.

Reports then surfaced the night of July 26 that quarterback Joe Flacco could miss from three-to-six weeks because of a disk issue in his back. There were also reports he might be out no more than one or two weeks.

The Ravens had not commented, but will likely discuss it Thursday.



THE FACTS:

TRAINING CAMP: Under Armour Performance Center; Owings Mills, Md.

COACH: John Harbaugh

10th season as Ravens/NFL head coach

95-64 overall; 10-5 postseason

THE BREAKDOWN

2016 finish: 2nd AFC North (8-8)

STATISTICS

TOTAL OFFENSE: 347.7 (17th)

RUSHING: 91.4 (28th)

PASSING: 256.3 (12th)

TOTAL DEFENSE: 322.1 (7th)

RUSHING: 89.4 (5th)

PASSING: 232.8 (9th)



2017 PRESEASON SCHEDULE

All times Eastern



Aug. 10, WASHINGTON (Thu), 7:30

Aug. 17, at Miami (Thu), 7:00

Aug. 26, BUFFALO (Sat), 7:00

Aug. 31, at New Orleans (Thu), 8:00



UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter - Joe Flacco. Backups - Ryan Mallett, Dustin Vaughan.

Flacco did not appear fully confident one year removed from season-ending knee surgery. However, he did manage to throw 20 touchdowns with 15 interceptions and a had a quarterback rating of 83.3 last season. The Ravens are expecting much more from their franchise quarterback. Flacco has looked sharp in offseason workouts and the Ravens added receiver Jeremy Maclin as another potential weapon for him. Malley will be the primary backup for the third season and Vaughan appears headed to the practice squad.

RUNNING BACKS: Starters - Terrance West, FB Lorenzo Taliaferro. Backups - Danny Woodhead, Buck Allen, Taquan Mizzell, FB Ricky Ortiz, Bobby Rainey, Kenneth Dixon.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh named West as the starter in offseason workouts. West did well with limited opportunities last season, finishing with 774 yards and five touchdowns on 193 carries. Woodhead was signed as a free agent and he will be a threat catching the ball out of the backfield. The key for him is to stay healthy. Allen has struggled over the past two seasons, but he will get an opportunity to make plays, especially with Dixon out for the season after undergoing knee surgery Tuesday to repair a medial meniscus. Rainey was signed to add depth. Taliaferro made the switch from running back to fullback in the offseason. The Ravens hope can he effectively replace Pro Bowler Kyle Juszczyk, who signed with the 49ers as a free agent. Taliaferro, however, has struggled to stay healthy and finished the past three seasons on injured reserve. Ortiz, an undrafted rookie from Oregon State, could push Taliaferro for the starting job and is a solid blocker.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter - Benjamin Watson. Backups - Crockett Gillmore, Nick Boyle, Maxx Williams, Ryan Malleck.

This is perhaps the thinnest position on the roster. Dennis Pitta, the team's most productive tight end, reinjured his hip in offseason workouts and his career is likely over. Darren Waller is suspended without pay by the NFL for at least one year for violating the league's substance abuse policy for a second time in two years. Watson was a key free-agent signing in 2016, but suffered a torn Achilles in a preseason game against the Lions and never played another snap. He is expected to be ready for training camp. Williams and Gillmore have also struggled with injuries. Boyle has been suspended twice for violating the league's performance enhancing drugs policy. However, he took advantage of the extra snaps in the offseason OTAs and appears much more comfortable making catches in traffic and with blocking assignments.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters - Mike Wallace, Jeremy Maclin. Backups - Breshad Perriman, Michael Campanaro, Chris Matthews, Chris Moore, Vince Mayle, Keenan Reynolds, Quincy Adeboyejo, Aaron Bailey, Kenny Bell, C.J. Board, Tim Patrick, Tim White.

Maclin was signed in the offseason to provide quarterback Joe Flacco with another sure-handed receiver. Maclin, a former first round pick by the Eagles in 2009, caught 44 passes for 536 yards with two touchdowns over 12 games last with Kansas City last year. He would fill a void for Baltimore, which lost Steve Smith to retirement and Kamar Aiken to free agency in the offseason. Wallace was the most productive receiver last season, finishing with 1,017 yards and four touchdowns. Perriman was one of the most impressive players in this year's offseason workouts and is poised to have a breakout season. Campanaro and Reynolds, a converted cornerback, will battle for one of the remaining spots. Their ability to contribute on special teams will be a big factor in making the team.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - LT Ronnie Stanley, LG Alex Lewis, C John Urschel, RG Marshal Yanda, RT Ryan Jensen. Backups - T James Hurst, G Nico Siragusa, G Jarell Broxton, Jermaine Eluemunor, T Roubbens Joseph, T Stephane Nembot, G Jarrod Pughsley, G Maurquice Shakir, C Matt Skura, G/T De'Ondre Wesley.

Yanda is a six-time Pro Bowler and the anchor of the rest of the unit. He is a steadying presence for the rest of the group. Stanley, the team's first-round pick in 2016, was arguably the best rookie offensive lineman in the league last season. Lewis, another rookie, showed versatility and earned a starting spot before being hampered with an ankle injury. The Ravens traded starting center Jeremy Zuttah to the San Francisco 49ers in the offseason and starting right tackle Rick Wagner signed with the Lions as a free agent. This has left a void on the line. For now, coach John Harbaugh is prepared to move forward with Urschel and Jensen filling those roles. Rookie guard Nico Siragusa could also push for playing time.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - DT Bronson Kaufusi, NT Brandon William, DE Matt Judon. Backups - DT Chris Wormley, DT Michael Pierce, Michael, DT Patrick Ricard, NT Carl Davis, DT Willie Henry.

This unit was No. 1 against the run for much of the season before wearing down in the final four weeks. Williams, who was drafted by Baltimore in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, signed a five-year, $54-million deal in the offseason, foregoing a shot at free agency. Over 55 games, including 46 starts, Williams has recorded 158 tackles (97 solo), 4.5 sacks, three passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He will be the leader of this unit. Baltimore is also relying on Kaufusi to make a bigger impact after he broke his ankle during his rookie training camp and was out for the year. The rookie Wormley could push for a starting job.

LINEBACKERS: Starters - OLB Terrell Suggs, MLB CJ Mosley, MLB Kamalei Correa, OLB Tyus Bowser. Backups - OLB Matt Judon, OLB Za'Darius Smith, OLB Tim Williams, ILB Anthony Levine, ILB Lamar Louis, ILB Bam Bradley, ILB Patrick Onwuasor, ILB Brennen Beyer, ILB Donald Payne, OLB Albert McClellan, OLB Boseko Lokombo, OLB Randy Allen.

A main offseason goal for the Ravens was improving its pass rush. So, the team drafted Bowser of Houston in the second round and then took Williams from Alabama one round later. Both are high-energy players that showed a tenacity to get to the quarterback in college. Bowser has been especially impressive and could win a starting job. Suggs, the team's all-time sacks leader, turns 35 in October and has battled injuries. Baltimore might need to rely heavily on some other younger players, such as Judon and Smith, to make an impact.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters - LCB Brandon Carr, RCB Jimmy Smith, SS Eric Weddle, FS Tony Jefferson. Backups - CB Marlon Humphrey, CB Maurice Canady, CB Brandon Boykin, CB Robertson Daniel, CB Al-Hajj Shabazz, CB Jaylen Hill, CB Sheldon Price, CB Tavon Young, DB Lardarius Webb, S Chuck Clark, S Daniel Henry, S Otha Foster.

This unit struggled with injuries over the past three seasons. Smith missed time with ankle and back issues last season, but has been dominant when healthy. Young, who earned a starting role last season, is already out for the year with a knee injury. This opened up a battle at slot cornerback. Canady, Boykin and Webb are the top candidates to assume that role. The Ravens signed the veteran Jefferson and durable Carr, both of whom are expected to make an immediate impact.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Justin Tucker, P Sam Koch, LS Morgan Cox, KOR Chris Moore, Keenan Reynolds, PR Michael Campanaro.

Tucker is widely considered by some as the best kicker in the league. The veteran Koch made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and has been consistently solid. People rarely hear about Cox and that's a good thing for a long snapper. While the three of those players will offer continuity, there will be a heated battle among the kick and punt returners. Campanaro appears to have the edge as the main punt returner, but he has to show he can stay healthy. Reynolds, a converted quarterback from Navy, has shown steady improvement and will push for the job and opportunities as a kick returner. Moore has breakaway speed but must avoid turnovers to stay atop the depth chart.