The Ravens offense was a talking point after the loss to the Browns on Saturday, but the team’s defense suffered a notable loss. Cornerback Marcus Peters left the game with what has been diagnosed as a mild calf strain (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport).
Rapoport adds that Peters is expected to miss some time, but the injury is not considered long-term. While that can generally be considered good news, any absence from the 29-year-old would be significant. Peters has essentially played on an every-snap basis this season prior to suffering the injury.
The return of the former first-rounder this fall was a welcomed sight for Baltimore after he missed the entire 2021 campaign with a torn ACL. That gave the team its preferred duo of Peters and Marlon Humphrey on the perimeter, though the former has not seen a return to his All-Pro form in 2022. Peters – the NFL’s interceptions leader since entering the league in 2015 – has just one pick on the campaign. He has added six pass deflections and a pair of forced fumbles along the way.
In coverage, the two-time Pro Bowler has also had a less-than-stellar year. Peters has allowed seven touchdowns and a passer rating over 116 as the nearest defender, both the worst marks of his career. His play has, in part, contributed to Baltimore’s overall struggles against the pass – the Ravens rank 25th in the league with an average of 241 yards allowed on average – especially compared to the rest of the team's defensive statistics.
The Ravens saw multiple depth corners depart in free agency during the offseason, which prompted the signing of Kyle Fuller. He suffered an ACL tear in Week 1, however, leaving the team short on experienced options aside from Peters and Humphrey. 2021 third-rounder Brandon Stephens, fourth-round rookie Damarion Williams and special-teamer Kevon Seymour are among the corners available to fill in for Peters down the stretch.
At 9-5, the Ravens lost their lead in the AFC North during the weekend, but they are still well-positioned to make the postseason. A healthy Peters, in spite of his underwhelming performance to date, would be significant for the team in the final week or so of the regular season and the playoffs, should he be available at that time.
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