The Baltimore Ravens will open the 2022 preseason by hosting the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Tennessee has become a surprising rival after the infamous logo stomp at the hands of the Titans during the 2020 AFC divisional playoff game in Ravens territory.
With this matchup taking place in the preseason, fans shouldn’t expect sparks to fly. Both teams will be evaluating talent beyond the starters. A few position groups to keep an eye on for the Ravens include a crowded wide receiver corp and a running back competition.
Quick Takes:
Injury Update
Six Ravens are currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list: OLB Tyus Bowser (Achilles), RB J.K. Dobbins (knee), RB Gus Edwards (knee), CB Marcus Peters (knee), T Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and S Ar’Darius Washington (foot). Rookie fourth-round pick TE Charlie Kolar (sports hernia) recently underwent surgery and has not participated in full-team training camp practices, while fellow rookie and second-rounder OLB David Ojabo continues to rehab an Achilles injury sustained during his March Pro Day. Veteran OLB Vince Biegel sustained a torn Achilles during practice on Aug. 4.
2021 Season Recap
-In 2021, after starting the season with an AFC-best 8-3 record, the Ravens dropped their last six games – five of which came by a combined 8 points. With a final 8-9 record, Baltimore missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons and for just the fifth time during head coach John Harbaugh’s 14-year tenure.
-Ravaged by injuries throughout 2021 – including season-ending injuries to standouts RB J.K. Dobbins, RB Gus Edwards and CB Marcus Peters – Baltimore battled through consistent adversity and remained in playoff contention entering the Week 18 game vs. Pittsburgh. The Ravens played an NFL-high nine games that were decided by 3 or fewer points in 2021, including that final 16-13 overtime defeat against the Steelers.
-In 2021, Baltimore’s offense ranked No. 6 in total yards (378.8 ypg) and registered the league’s No. 3 rushing attack (145.8 ypg). The Ravens produced the NFL’s No. 1 run defense (84.5 ypg) and ranked No. 3 on third down (34.8%).
-QB Lamar Jackson missed five games last season, including the final four contests due to an ankle injury. Still earning Pro Bowl honors, Jackson was 246-of-382 passing for 2,882 yards, 16 TDs and 13 INTs, adding a team-high 767 rushing yards. All-Pro TE Mark Andrews was sensational, producing single-season team records for receptions (107) and receiving yards (1,361 – which also rank third most by a TE in NFL single-season history).
How to Watch
Local TV: WBAL Ch. 11 (Baltimore), WJLA Ch. 7 (Washington, DC) WGAL Ch. 8 (York/Lancaster/Harrisburg, Pa.), WWCW Ch. 21 (Roanoke, Va.), WUPV Ch. 65 (Richmond, Va.), WTVZ-TV Ch. 33 (Norfolk, Va.), WMDT Ch. 47 (Delmarva area)
National TV: NFL Network (New York & New England areas)