Projecting the Ravens depth chart for divisional round matchup vs. Texans
We’re a little over five away from the Ravens (13-4) and Texans (11-7) kicking off the AFC divisional round of the playoffs on ESPN.
Houston advanced to the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the fifth time in franchise history with a 45-14 win over the Browns in Super Wild Card Weekend.
The playoff win earned the Texans a rematch against the Ravens, and they’ll return to M&T Bank Stadium hoping to avenge a 25-9 loss in Week 1.
Baltimore has ruled out Marlon Humphrey for the contest, while Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews won’t be active after being listed as questionable.
With Humphrey out, Brandon Stephens and Ronald Darby are the likely starting cornerbacks against C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins and the Texans’ dynamic passing attack. Darby has made seven starts this season, as Humphrey will miss his eighth game.
Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney returned from an illness that kept him out of practice Wednesday and told reporters he’ll play. Wide receiver Zay Flowers (calf) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle) also both returned to full practice and said they’ll suit up.
With kickoff fast approaching, here’s a projected two-deep depth chart for Baltimore.
QB
Starter–Lamar Jackson
2nd–Tyler Huntley
3rd–Josh Johnson
Inactive–Malik Cunningham
RB
Starter–Gus Edwards
2nd–Dalvin Cook
3rd–Justice Hill
Baltimore’s current backs — Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill — have not created big plays, combining to average 4 yards per carry over the past seven games.
Cook is fresh and the Ravens signed him for a reason.
WR
Starter–Odell Beckham Jr.
Starter–Rashod Bateman
Devin Duvernay
Beckham shines on the biggest stage, and he’ll start desoite being on a pitch count.
WR
Starter–Zay Flowers
2nd–Nelson Agholor
Devin Duvernay
Flowers will make his playoff debut against Derek Stingley Jr.
TE
Starter–Isaiah Likely
2nd–Charlie Kolar
With Mark Andrews not activated, Likely will get an oppotunity to continue his hot streak at the tight end position.
Likely hauled in both of his targets for 31 yards and a touchdown in the Week 18 loss to the Steelers. Likely continued his recent success with a 27-yard catch in the second quarter for his fifth touchdown over his last five contests, and he’s has generated 17 receptions off 20 targets with 282 yards and five scores since Andrews went out.
FB
Patrick Ricard
LT
Co-starter–Ronnie Stanley
Co-starter–Patrick Mekari
2nd–Daniel Faalele
LG
Starter–John Simpson
2nd–Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
C
Starter–Tyler Linderbaum
Inactive–Sam Mustipher
2nd–Patrick Mekari
RG
Starter–Kevin Zeitler
2nd–Ben Cleveland
RT
Starter–Morgan Moses
2nd–Patrick Mekari
3rd–Daniel Faalele
DT
Starter–Justin Madubuike
2nd–Travis Jones
3rd–Broderick Washington
NT
Starter–Michael Pierce
2nd–Travis Jones
DE
Starter–Jadeveon Clowney
2nd–Broderick Washington
3rd–Brent Urban
OLB
Starter–Kyle Van Noy
2nd–Malik Harrison
Special teams –Jeremiah Moon
MLB
Starter–Roquan Smith
2nd–Malik Harrison
MLB
Starter–Patrick Queen
2nd–Del’Shawn Phillips
3rd–Trenton Simpson
OLB
Starter–Odafe Oweh
2nd–Tavius Robinson
CB
Starter–Brandon Stephens
Slot–Arthur Maulet
2nd–Rock Ya-Sin
CB
Starter–Ronald Darby
2nd–Rock Ya-Sin
3rd-Arthur Maulet
Ronald Darby will start at cornerback opposite Brandon Stephens with Marlon Humphrey ruled out.
S
Starter–Kyle Hamilton
2nd–Geno Stone
3rd–Ar’Darius Washington
FS
Starter–Marcus Williams
2nd–Geno Stone
