The 2022 Ravens should be healthier than their 2021 version, but they will begin the new campaign Sunday still missing one of their key offensive players. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who had been listed as doubtful on Friday's injury report, has been ruled out of Baltimore’s season opener, per a team announcement.
Stanley continues to recover from the ankle injury that cut short his 2020 campaign and limited him to a single contest last season. The fact that he was activated from the PUP list last month left the door open to a Week 1 return, but he will not be with the Ravens as they visit the Jets.
The 28-year-old played during the Ravens’ season opener last year, but ultimately had to be shut down after the third procedure he has undergone on the affected ankle. The team admitted earlier this offseason that Stanley was rushed back into action, so it comes as little surprise that a more cautious approach is being taken this year. He has practiced only three times following his activation, something that always made Week 2 (or later) a more realistic return date.
To replace Stanley, the Ravens will likely turn to Ja’Wuan James on the blindside, as noted by ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. That was reported to be the team’s contingency plan this summer, despite the fact that James has not seen the field since 2019. After his release from the Broncos, James signed with the Ravens last year with a faint hope that he would be able to return at some point in the season. As expected, he was ruled out, but the 30-year-old could provide solid play if he returns to his Dolphins form.
The left tackle spot will be an essentially foreign position for James, who has all but exclusively played on the right side during his career. That role will go to free-agent signing Morgan Moses, whom the team invested in to help solidify an offensive line that struggled considerably in 2021. The most important member of the unit will be a welcomed sight upon his return, but that will not happen for at least one more week.
More must-reads: