Sep 17, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) celebrates a touchdown with Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Morgan Moses (78) in the first quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare-USA TODAY Sports

Pair of Ravens OL, RB Gus Edwards return to practice

A pair of key offensive linemen returned to practice Wednesday along with running back Gus Edwards (concussion) and safety Marcus Williams (pec) for the Baltimore Ravens.

Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) and center Tyler Linderbaum (ankle) both returned to practice after missing the past two games.

However, seven players missed practice Wednesday, including running back Justice Hill (foot). He was joined on the sidelines by wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle) and Rashod Bateman (hamstring), outside linebackers Odafe Oweh (ankle) and David Ojabo (ankle), and defensive backs Marlon Humphrey (foot) and Kyle Hamilton (undisclosed).

Edwards left Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the second half to be evaluated for a concussion. He’s rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown in three games (one start) this season.

Stanley, 29, is hoping to stay healthy after playing in just 18 games combined the past three seasons.

Linderbaum, 23, started all 17 games as a rookie in 2022 after the team selected him No. 25 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Ojabo, 23, also left Sunday’s game with his injury. He has six tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in three games.

The official injury report for the Ravens (2-1), who travel to Cleveland (2-1) in Week 4, will be released later Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Aug 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley reacts during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Staley, Matt Eberflus on hottest NFL coaching seats

Brandon Staley has long been one of the NFL’s most polarizing head coaches.

Known for his penchant for taking risks on fourth down, it’s his team’s ongoing habit of turning wins into losses that could land Staley in the unemployment line.

The Los Angeles Chargers decided to keep Staley despite blowing a 27-point lead at Jacksonville in last season’s playoffs — with the Jaguars staging the third-largest postseason comeback in NFL history.

The Chargers have also held fourth-quarter leads in both games to open the 2023 season, only to walk away with losses to Miami and Tennessee. They’re only a game out in the AFC West, where Kansas City and Las Vegas are 1-1, but Staley is now the +200 favorite by SportsBetting.ag to be the first coach fired this season.

He opened the season at +1600, tied for the ninth-shortest odds. That was slightly behind Chicago’s Matt Eberflus, whose odds have shifted from +1400 to +400 following the Bears’ own 0-2 start. While Staley is in Year 3 in L.A., Eberflus is in just his second season in the Windy City, but has just three wins through his first 16 games.

Their stories differ significantly from that of Washington’s Ron Rivera. Despite the Commanders’ 2-0 start, Rivera’s odds at the book of being the first coach fired this season have actually shortened from +700 to +400.

The Commanders have opened with victories against Arizona and Denver, a pair of 0-2 teams that held leads against Washington. Rivera is also playing under a new ownership group that didn’t hire him, and the Commanders face a daunting schedule ahead that begins with Sunday’s home game against Buffalo followed by a trip to Philadelphia.

The next-shortest odds belong to Las Vegas’ Josh McDaniels. He was one of the co-favorites preseason, and is being offered at +500 despite the Raiders’ 1-1 start.

FIRST NFL COACH FIRED ODDS
Brandon Staley (+200)
Matt Eberflus (+400)
Ron Rivera (+400)
Josh McDaniels (+500)
Kevin O’Connell (+1200)
Robert Saleh (+1400)
Dennis Allen (+2500)
Mike Vrabel (+2500)
Todd Bowles (+2500)
Jonathan Gannon (+3300)
Kevin Stefanski (+3300)
Mike Tomlin (+3300)
Sean Payton (+3300)
Zac Taylor (+3300)
Bill Belichick (+4000)
Pete Carroll (+5000)
Frank Reich (+6600)
Matt Lafleur (+6600)
Mike McCarthy (+6600)
Sean McDermott (+6600)
Shane Steichen (+6600)
Arthur Smith (+10000)
Brian Daboll (+10000)
Dan Campbell (+10000)
DeMeco Ryans (+10000)
Doug Pederson (+10000)
John Harbaugh (+10000)
Sean McVay (+10000)
Mike McDaniel (+20000)
Nick Sirianni (+25000)
Andy Reid (+50000)
Kyle Shanahan (+50000)

Staley said following Sunday’s loss against the Titans that last season’s loss to the Jaguars “hasn’t carried onto the season whatsoever.”

The fact remains the Chargers are 0-2 and it won’t take much for their season to spiral out of control.

They travel to Minnesota for a Week 3 game against an equally desperate 0-2 Vikings team. Following a home game against McDaniels’ Raiders, the Chargers play host to Dallas and return home to face Kansas City.

Whether Staley survives to see the conclusion of his third season in L.A. could well ride on where the Chargers are sitting after Week 6.

“It’s a convenient storyline for you and for everybody else, but it’s not the truth,” Staley said of any potential carryover from the Jacksonville loss. “We’ve lost two tough games but the guys in that locker room, the men in that locker room they are finishers and they have what it takes and we’re excited to prove ourselves.”

Meanwhile, the two men McDaniels shared the shortest odds with ahead of the season have seemingly worked their way to cooler chairs thanks to 2-0 starts.

Dallas has begun the season with a pair of impressive blowout victories, leading coach Mike McCarthy’s odds to go from +600 to +6600. And Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles is now +2500 following the Buccaneers’ opening two wins against Minnesota and Chicago.

–Field Level Media

Jan 15, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) grips the jersey of Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) after a play in the fourth quarter during an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports

Four Ravens starters out vs. Bengals, Mark Andrews questionable

The Baltimore Ravens ruled out four starters for Sunday’s game against the host Cincinnati Bengals.

On Friday, the Ravens announced offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee), center Tyler Linderbaum (ankle), safety Marcus Williams (pectoral) and cornerback Marlon Humphrey (foot) will sit out the contest versus their AFC North rivals. Stanley, Linderbaum and Williams were injured in Baltimore’s 25-9 victory over the Houston Texans last Sunday.

The Ravens were already without running back J.K. Dobbins, who sustained a season-ending Achilles injury against the Texans.

Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews was a full participant in practice on Friday and is listed as questionable to make his season debut against the Bengals. He sat out the season opener with a quadriceps injury.

Patrick Mekari likely will replace Stanley at left tackle, while Sam Mustipher is expected to get the nod at center in place of Linderbaum.

“We’re practicing and getting extra reps (and) getting extra snaps just because he’s not Tyler,” quarterback Lamar Jackson said of Mustipher, per the Baltimore Sun. “Tyler is usually the guy who gets all the snaps. Me and him always exchange snaps together, but we’re going to work. We’re going to find a way to make it happen. That’s the job to do.”

It’s not immediately known how the Ravens will address their secondary issues.

“Our players are confident in their teammates, their brothers in arms,” Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said. “They believe in one another, and they’re excited to see those guys play. I see why it’s a topic, but it’s not really a topic in our inner circle. We’re just going to play the game.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James (71) is driven off the field after an injury during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens look for LT help with top two out

Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ja’Wuan James tore his Achilles in Sunday’s win over the New York Jets, and there is no backup plan at the ready.

James, who moved from right tackle for Week 1 with starter Ronnie Stanley not considered game-ready for conditioning reasons, is a former first-round pick who previously tore his Achilles on the same leg.

“James has a torn Achilles; it’s the same one. It’s a little bit of a different tear; it’s off the bone,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “It’s not the one that is mid-tendon. So, he’s determined, and he says he’s in a way better place than he was last time, and he’s determined to come back in time.”

Patrick Mekari, in his fourth NFL season out of Cal, is typically an interior lineman but moved to the blindside of quarterback Lamar Jackson following James’ injury.

Stanley played only in Week 1 last season before opting for another ankle surgery that ended his season. He worked out with the team in a limited capacity three times last week before being downgraded to doubtful on Friday.

Harbaugh indicated getting Stanley into peak condition would be a priority before he takes the field.

The Ravens face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) against the Las Vegas Raiders during Monday Night Football at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley doubtful, RB J.K. Dobbins questionable vs. Jets

Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley is doubtful and running back J.K. Dobbins questionable when Baltimore opens the 2022 regular season on Sunday.

The New York Jets officially ruled out quarterback Zach Wilson (knee) and left tackle Duane Brown (shoulder) for their Week 1 meeting.

Stanley played only in Week 1 last season before opting for another ankle surgery that ended his season. He worked out with the team in a limited capacity three times this week, but head coach John Harbaugh indicated getting Stanley into peak condition would be a priority before he takes the field.

If Stanley can’t go, Ja’Wuan James would move over from the right tackle position and has practiced as if he’d be the top left tackle to begin the season.

“Ja’Wuan has really made a commitment to changing sides over there, and he’s practiced really well,” Harbaugh said. “He’s ready to go, great spirit, great attitude, hard worker. I’m looking forward to seeing how he does.”

Dobbins missed last season with a knee injury but has been pushing to be on the field for Week 1, as has cornerback Marcus Peters (knee). Peters is also listed as questionable but did not practice on Friday. Harbaugh said Peters was off for a veteran rest day. Gameday in New Jersey is exactly one year from the date Peters landed on season-ending injured reserve in 2021.

Without Brown, the Jets are shuffling their offensive line.

Right tackle George Fant shifted back to left tackle in Friday’s practice and rookie Max Mitchell worked at right tackle.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA;  Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) in carted off the field after suffering an apparent injury in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Layton-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens LT Stanley faces long road to return

Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley is out for the season and could be facing a long road to recovery from a severe left ankle injury.

Stanley was carted off the field Sunday — days after signing a five-year contract extension worth just under $100 million — with a dislocated ankle. According to NFL Network on Monday, Stanley also tore multiple ligaments. A full recovery could take nine months or longer.

“I feel bad for Ronnie,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Sunday night following Baltimore’s 28-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. “He’s a guy that has been playing well … and he wants to play, wants to be a part of it. He’s worked very hard to be out there and to contribute, but that’s the nature of the game often times, unfortunately.”

The injury hit two days after the 2019 All-Pro signed a five-year contract extension worth a reported $98.75 million, including a $22.5 million signing bonus.

Stanley, 26, was hurt on a play in which quarterback Lamar Jackson was under heavy pressure. He collided with and fell backward over Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt.

Stanley had an air cast on his left leg before being carted off the field in the final minutes of the first quarter with the game tied at 7.

Stanley was making his 62nd start since the Ravens selected him with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA;  Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) blocks at the line of scrimmage against Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Ravens won 26-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens, Stanley agree to five-year extension

Left tackle Ronnie Stanley agreed to a five-year extension with the Baltimore Ravens on Friday.

The team announced the deal which reports pegged at a $98.75 million total value with a $22.5 million signing bonus.

Stanley and the Ravens face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

An All-Pro in 2019, the 26-year-old Stanley was playing on his fifth-year option tied to his rookie deal as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Head coach John Harbaugh has praised Stanley as a dedicated professional since he made 12 starts as a rookie.

Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil is the highest-paid player at the position based on annual value with a three-year, $66 million deal signed earlier this year.

Anthony Castonzo of the Indianapolis Colts averages $16.5 million per year on his two-year deal signed this year.

Stanley’s average over the course of the extension is $19.75 million per season.

–Field Level Media