Malaki Starks, Mike Green, and Teddye Buchanan are carrying a heavy load, but Head Coach John Harbaugh isn't worried about them hitting the proverbial rookie wall.
Starks has played the most defensive snaps on the team (538) while starting from Day 1 at safety. Buchanan became a starter in Week 2 and has played 76% of the defensive snaps, while edge rusher Mike Green (63%) has seen his role increase since the Ravens traded Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Harbaugh isn't concerned about them burning out during the second half of the season.
"I think those guys are in great shape, very focused, determined guys," Harbaugh said. "I see them continuing to ascend. All those guys are getting better every day. I'm very confident that those guys are going to keep improving and just become better players for us as the season goes on.
"We're going to play them the reps that they've earned, that can help us win. Malaki is playing a lot. Mike Green has kind of taken a full-time role now, and he's handled it really well. We'll have to watch it, see how they do, but I haven't seen any signs yet of those guys having any issues with it."
Buchanan was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for October and leads the team in tackles with 63. With Roquan Smith back in the lineup after missing two games with a hamstring injury, Harbaugh believes Buchanan's energy will remain high.
"When 'Ro' was hurt, he was playing every snap and he was playing special teams," Harbaugh said of Buchanan. "He's actually had a little break in the last couple games since 'Ro' got back. He had the green dot, which is a lot of pressure. He's probably happy to have that off. He's another guy that learns, doesn't make mistakes twice. He continues to get better for that reason."
Buchanan helped contribute to a forced fumble in Miami and his improvement in pass coverage has particularly impressed Harbaugh.
"He's gotten way better at it," Harbaugh said. "The Dolphins stress that position quite a bit. I thought he did a pretty good job."
Harbaugh Discusses Jaire Alexander Trade and Likelihood of a Deadline Deal
The Ravens traded Jaire Alexander to the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, but Harbaugh wouldn't speculate on whether Baltimore would make more moves prior to Tuesday's deadline.
"There's no way to know," Harbaugh said. "We'll see what happens."
Alexander only played in two games after signing with the Ravens on June 18. Baltimore sent him and a 2027 seventh-round pick to Philadelphia for a 2026 sixth-round selection – something they didn't have prior to making the deal. The Ravens also reportedly got $2 million in immediate salary cap savings.
"You've got a scenario where the trade deadline's coming up, and there's opportunities to do different things and try to make your team better, and it falls in that category," Harbaugh said.
Broderick Washington Jr. Has Achilles Surgery
Harbaugh said defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr. underwent successful Achilles surgery and there is no timetable for his return. Washington has been on injured reserve since Sept. 27.
"It wasn't torn, but there was a surgery there," Harbaugh said. "I'd have to get the medical details to see what I could say further, but that's really all I know."
Carl Lawson 'Ready to Go,' While Trenton Simpson Has Adapted Outside
Veteran edge rusher Carl Lawson has not been activated since being signed to the practice squad on Oct. 24, but he could make his Ravens debut in Week 10 vs. the Vikings.
"With Carl, yes, he's probably ready to go, so we'll have to see where we're at," Harbaugh said.
Since the Oweh trade, Simpson has seen more snaps playing outside, instead of his normal position at inside linebacker. Harbaugh likes the way Simpson has adjusted.
"He's a pretty versatile football player," Harbaugh said. "Trenton can do a lot of good things, and he was doing a lot of things in that [Dolphins] game. He can drop [into coverage] for you. It's been a nice add to our defense to have Trenton move up there and become one of the known rushers."
Ravens Brace for Loud Environment at Minnesota
The Ravens are preparing to deal with one of the NFL's loudest environments at U.S. Bank Stadium when they face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Prior to every opening kickoff, a special guest sounds an enormous Gjallarhorn that revs up the crowd, and the noise is relentless throughout the game.
During practice this week, the speakers will be blaring when the Ravens work on overcoming noise and communicating effectively.
"We're going to have to be on point," Harbaugh said. "This game is going to be a challenge that way. It's going to be super-loud in there. It is one of the loudest you'd ever play. It's loud from the first play to the last play, and they have horns going off and everything else.
"It's going to have to be a silent, signal communication game on offense, for sure, and we're going to have to handle that pressure. They use that to their advantage, to try to mess with your communication a little bit."
