Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale had an interesting analogy for Baltimore's roster shortage. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens DC compares roster depletion to 'Squid Game' ahead of matchup with Bengals

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 12/23/21

Pretty much every team in the NFL is depleted right now, whether it's due to injury or because of players being in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. For the Baltimore Ravens, that roster shortage comes as they try to prepare for their fight for first place in the AFC North against the Cincinnati Bengals.

According to ESPN's Jamison Hensley, Ravens defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale compared the truncated roster to a popular Netflix show that, well, doesn't end well for many involved.

Ravens defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale told an assistant yesterday: "You go from the beginning of the season with our roster to right now, and I don't know if we're playing football or the Squid Game."
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 23, 2021

You really can't blame Martindale for feeling that way. The Ravens were down to 13 defensive players at Wednesday's practice, with nine defenders in the COVID protocol and another handful on the injury list.

"It's a challenge but it's one that we've gotten used to from last year, and we're doing it again this year," Martindale told ESPN, referencing the 2020 season when Baltimore placed 23 players into COVID protocol.

A COVID-riddled defense isn't the hurdle the Ravens have to fly over this weekend against Joe Burrow and the Bengals. It still isn't clear if starting quarterback Lamar Jackson will be good to go on Sunday. Jackson hasn't practiced since suffering an ankle injury against the Cleveland Browns on December 12, and with practices this week being closed to the media in light of the COVID spike, it's difficult to gauge how he is progressing.

Ravens OC Greg Roman said he's not sure whether Lamar Jackson (ankle) is practicing Thursday.

"We're taking it day by day," Roman said.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 23, 2021