Cornerback Jaire Alexander is on track to make his Ravens debut Sunday night.
Alexander participated in a full practice Thursday.
He had a limited practice Wednesday in his first practice since Aug. 8 as he managed a knee injury. Alexander underwent surgery on his knee at the end of last season.
He has missed 16 games the past two seasons, which played a part in the Packers’ decision to move on in the offseason.
Alexander is listed behind Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins on the depth chart but is expected to play a big role in the cornerbacks rotation.
Right guard Daniel Faalele (illness) also returned to full participation after limited work Wednesday.
Tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) and fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) remained out of practice Thursday.
The Bills signed veteran kicker Matt Prater to their practice squad on Thursday and it looks like they may need to elevate him for Sunday night’s game against the Ravens.
Tyler Bass went from limited participation in Wednesday’s practice to the sidelines on Thursday. Bass did not take part in practice due to left hip and groin injuries.
Friday’s practice will provide the next update on his condition and another absence would make it likelier that Prater will be making his Bills debut.
Cornerback Tre’Davious White (groin) missed practice for the second straight day, but corner Christian Benford (groin) was able to participate fully after a limited session Wednesday. Three wide receivers are also on the report. Keon Coleman (groin) remained limited while Elijah Moore (personal) missed practice and Khalil Shakir (ankle) was a full participant.
Sunday night’s game between the Bills and Ravens will be the fifth time that the last two NFL MVPs have met in Week 1 of the regular season and the vote that resulted in Bills quarterback Josh Allen taking the prize was up for conversation on Wednesday.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson looked like he was on the way to a repeat when he was voted a first-team All-Pro by the same electorate that tabbed Allen as the league’s MVP. Given how the MVP is often viewed as an award for the league’s top quarterback, it was surprising to see voters split their ballots in that manner, but it wasn’t anything that Jackson was griping about during his press conference.
“The voters chose who they wanted to pick,” Jackson said, via the team’s website. “It is what it is. It is what it is.”
Allen and Jackson are among the top contenders for this year’s prize, so Sunday’s game could wind up factoring into how the votes stack up come the end of the year.
The whole Ravens team has a bad taste in their mouths about their last visit to Buffalo, but tight end Mark Andrews’s memories of the January playoff loss are more painful than most.
Andrews dropped a pass in the end zone on a two-point conversion play late in the fourth quarter of the Bills’ 27-25 win in the divisional round and his feelings about going back there for Sunday night’s game were a major subject of conversation at a Wednesday press conference. Andrews succinctly said that “this is a new season” when asked about his emotional state and explained why he’s been able to turn the page on the loss.
“I’m a pro,” Andrews said. “This is what I do, this is what I love to do, this is my whole entire world. For me, it’s about focusing, doing my job, just knowing the type of player I can be in this offense and for this organization, for this city.”
There was some question about whether Andrews would remain with the Ravens this offseason, but the status quo remained in place and everyone from the team has expressed confidence in what Andrews is able to do on the field. Andrews said it’s “a good feeling” to have that support along with his memories of “countless times when I’ve stepped up and made big plays” for the Ravens.
Making a few of them on Sunday night would be a good way for Andrews and the Ravens to erase the lingering memories of their last trip to New York.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson hasn’t joined Sunday night’s opponent Josh Allen in landing a contract extension ahead of the 2025 season, but he said on Wednesday that he’s only thinking about the Bills at the moment.
The prospect of a contract extension has been a frequent talking point this offseason with Jackson’s $74.5 million cap hit in 2026 standing out among the reasons why the move would be of interest to the Ravens. General Manager Eric DeCosta said last week that talks are “ongoing” without sharing any details about where things stand.
On Wednesday, Jackson said that he’s confident there will be a deal at some point, but that his eyes are only on football with the opener in Buffalo growing closer.
“The season’s here, I’m not worried about that,” Jackson said in a press conference. “You were better off asking me that during camp. I’m locked in, I’m ready for the season to start. That time will come.”
Jackson’s play since joining the Ravens gives him every reason to feel secure about his future with the team and about his chances of setting a new high in the quarterback market whenever a deal comes together.
