Every NFL team is dealing with injury concerns over three weeks into a new season, but the Baltimore Ravens are particularly reeling at this point. That's why the team featured brought in multiple defensive linemen for tryouts this week and signed two vets to the practice squad in anticipation of facing the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4.
It was already made clear that their top sack artist from a year ago, linebacker Kyle Van Noy, was going to miss the Chiefs' contest with a hamstring injury. Defensive anchor Nnamdi Madubuike is also on the mend with an ongoing neck concern. Both players were among the many Ravens sitting out practice on Wednesday as they prep for their trip to Arrowhead on Sunday.
The Ravens are dealing with some real injury concerns along the defensive line before facing the Chiefs.
While those two defensive losses were already significant, the team also sat Travis Jones on the sidelines during practice, which cost them another important defensive lineman in practice sessions. If that continues, it makes sense that the Ravens brought in some experienced help.
After bringing in free agent defensive tackles Taven Bryan, Jeremiah Ledbetter, and Josh Tupou for tryouts, the Ravens signed the former and the latter. Both Bryan and Topou will join the practice squad for now, but they seem like solid bets to make their way into the active roster if injuries persist.
The Ravens are already ranked last in the NFL in points allowed, but the unit deserves credit for having faced some tough offenses. The Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions each hung around 40 points on John Harbaugh's defense and the personnel losses will keep the pressure on the unit to turn things around in the face of tough games ahead.
For the Chiefs, the offense has looked a bit stagnant in the early going, but the potential return of Xavier Worthy to the lineup after suffering a torn labrum in Week 1 along with the emergence of Tyquan Thornton could open things up in Week 4. Jalen Royals has yet to make his professional debut as well after returning to practice for the first time in a month before Week 3.
If Jones and/or Madubuike are unable to suit up on Sunday, the Ravens will likely turn to John Jenkins and sixth-round rookie Aeneas Peebles, with perhaps a sighting of Bryan and/or Tupou as well. Either way, the Chiefs aren't going to face a Ravens team at full strength, but they'll provide intense competition all the same.