Chidobe

Awuzie

The Ravens rarely started him after the first month of the season, but Awuzie had a bounceback year in PFF’s metrics, finishing with a 76.1 PFF coverage grade. Entering his age-31 season, Awuzie would be a risky bet as a full-time starter for Baltimore, but a reasonable depth piece.

Awuzie was doubtful with a foot injury, and only practiced on Friday. T Ronnie Stanley (knee/ankle) and Kyle Hamilton (ankle) are active and will play despite questionable tags. Awuzie is the only non-healthy scratch on the inactives list.

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.

He didn’t practice at all this week. Neither did fellow ruled-out defender Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) — both players probably have a chance to come back after Baltimore’s Week 7 bye.

Awuzie is now on the wrong side of questionable. CB Marlon Humphrey’s calf injury and S Kyle Hamilton’s groin injury are evidently progressing, though. Hamilton’s full participation puts him firmly on track to play in Week 6 against the Rams. The Ravens have been a fantasy-friendly unit thus far. Improved health would go a long way toward reversing course. LB Roquan Smith (hamstring) also remains sidelined.

Linebacker Roquan Smith and fellow corner Chidobe Awuzie both missed Wednesday’s practice with hamstring injuries. With Lamar Jackson unlikely to play this week, the Ravens may ultimately choose to sit the bulk of their injured players for a likely loss to the Rams on Sunday. They then get their bye week, allowing them to return close to full strength for Week 8 versus the Bears.

He ominously did not practice the last two days of the week and John Harbaugh said his injury felt worse after Wednesday’s session. We’d consider Hamilton on the pessimistic side of questionable. Baltimore will have Nate Wiggins (elbow), who was cleared off the report, and won’t have Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) after three straight DNPs. In theory these are moves that should boost Houston’s pass offense, but we’re not sure if such a thing is actually possible.

The injuries are piling up on both sides of the ball for Baltimore. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey is expected to be out for multiple weeks with a calf injury. Fellow corner Chidobe Awuzie and linebacker Roquan Smith were also absent from practice because of hamstring injuries. The Texans got on track last week with a 26-0 win over the Titans. They have a shot at riding that momentum to another win versus a Ravens team without multiple starting defenders and likely Lamar Jackson on the other side of the ball.

Andrews reportedly missed practice on Sunday as well. On Monday, he was seen working with a trainer off to the side, running routes and at times sprinting half the field’s length. The Ravens tend to share injury details minimally, so info may be difficult to come by. There is no reason to think he will miss Week 1 at this time. He’s a TE1 until further notice. Isaiah Likely (foot), Jaire Alexander (knee) and Chidobe Awuzie (undisclosed) also sat out team drills. Awuzie was seen working alongside Andrews, off to the side.