Ravens CB Wiggins, CB Humphrey back next week?

Wiggins was carted off in practice with a lower body injury. Initial MRI tests indicated the 22-year-old avoided a major injury and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adds that there appears to be no significant structural damage. This is great news for the Ravens defense as Wiggins was poised to be the CB1 to begin the season. Though he will still miss some time, Wiggins will return “sooner rather than later.”

Wiggins got tangled with Ja’Kobi Lane and tumbled to the turf. Jesse Minter said that Wiggins is getting tests done and that he doesn’t know yet if it’s a long-term injury. Baltimore’s cornerback depth could be tested early if Wiggins is indeed out for more than a short period of time.

Last season, Wiggins was listed with groin and elbow injuries. As a 2024 rookie, he appeared on the injury report with a neck/concussion designation and later suffered a shoulder injury. In his recent interview with The Journey Media, Wiggins said he was also working through a groin injury when he participated in the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, and claims he has played at “60-70 percent” health ever since high school. Wiggins did not share details on his offseason surgery, but the multiple groin injuries obviously stand out in his injury history. Wiggins hopes to earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors en route to a Super Bowl victory this season.

Bateman hasn’t practiced all week, but John Harbaugh said he believes both Bateman and Marlon Humphrey (illness — also questionable) to be cleared by game time on Sunday. Bateman has barely cracked the fantasy radar all season and would be hard to trust if he was healthy.

He didn’t even miss a practice after being sidelined ahead of Week 11’s game with the Browns. Humphrey will return and help limit the Jets’ new-look passing game in Week 12.

Humphrey underwent a minor procedure last week that sidelined him for Week 11 against the Browns. He was never expected to miss more than a game or two, so Harbaugh’s early optimism that he could return in Week 12 doesn’t come as a surprise. Humphrey has played on 272 coverage snaps this season, per PFF, breaking up four passes while also forcing one interception.

Sanders took over after halftime for starting QB Dillon Gabriel after Gabriel’s concussion. Sanders nearly engineered a comeback drive at the end of the game, but the rookie’s performance was far from perfect. He is quick to leave the pocket and tosses errant passes, notably throwing an interception straight into Ravens CB Nate Wiggins’ hands on the Browns’ eighth drive. Sanders then fired a pass straight into a Ravens S Kyle Hamilton’s hands on the ninth drive, but Hamilton embarrassingly dropped the ball, punted it post-play and was flagged for a penalty. Browns rookie WR Isaiah Bond briefly got open in the end zone on the final drive, but a scrambling Sanders delivered a poor pass, leading the receiver by too great a distance. Sanders would be a rough start in Week 12, even if options are limited in superflex, and even if he is playing against the Raiders. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said post-game that Gabriel remains the starter.

According to Harbaugh, Humphrey would likely miss one or two games if he did need surgery. The team is still weighing that decision, but with games against the Browns and Jets on tap over the next two weeks, it’s safe to say the Ravens can afford to be without Humphrey if he does opt for surgery. Humphrey has struggled in coverage this season, allowing 32 receptions for 461 yards and two touchdowns on 45 targets, but did notch his first interception of the season in Week 10’s win over the Vikings.

Neither are CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring), ILB Roquan Smith (hamstring), or CB Marlon Humphrey (illness) — and outside of Humphrey missing Wednesday’s practice all four of those players got in full sessions all week. Baltimore’s defense finally looks to mostly be recovered from their early October swoon. Will they actually play better in Week 8? That’s the real question.

The Ravens’ defensive health is improving, though it still lacks a capable pass rush. CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) is practicing in full, as are S Kyle Hamilton (groin) and LB Roquan Smith (hamstring). This unit was one to target for fantasy purposes pre-bye, in Weeks 1-6, and will likely remain fantasy-friendly until it improves its defensive-front personnel. This week’s results against the Bears are worth watching.