The Baltimore Ravens will be facing the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football for Week 3 without some key players due to strategic decisions and injuries. Cornerback Jaire Alexander and running back Keaton Mitchell will both be inactive due to being healthy scratches. Mitchell has been overlooked in favor of running back Rasheen Ali for the RB3 position, primarily because of Ali’s value on special teams. Despite being healthy, Alexander still hasn’t attained the necessary condition to find himself in “football shape” for the game.
In addition to these absences, the Ravens continue to be without fullback Pat Ricard and tight end Isaiah Likely, both yet to appear this season as they recover from injuries sustained over the summer. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike has been sidelined with a neck injury, further impacting the lineup’s depth.
Rookie offensive lineman Carson Vinson will also sit out, attributed to strategic roster management rather than performance issues. However, the team will see the return of outside linebacker David Ojabo, who is set to make his season debut after missing the first two games. Conversely, the Ravens have ruled out veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy due to a hamstring injury he sustained last Sunday.
The Ravens will undoubtedly need to adapt to the lineup changes, and these absences will test their depth and flexibility as they aim to capitalize on their available talent in the game against the Lions.