Tight end Crockett Gillmore could be headed for injured reserve (IR).
Head Coach John Harbaugh said – barring an unexpected turnaround – that Gillmore will not play in Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and the injury could force him to the shelf.
"It's not working out," Harbaugh said. "His back flared up again. He's also got the shoulder [injury]. It's not looking good for Crockett right now."
A reporter asked for clarification from Harbaugh on whether Gillmore could go on IR.
"Potentially, yeah. We'll see," Harbaugh said. "Unless, all of a sudden … maybe he'll come back tomorrow and I'll hear, 'Crockett's feeling great and he'll be out there Sunday.'"
A sudden turnaround is certainly unexpected, however. If Gillmore is put on IR, it will be the Ravens' 19th player to make the list, tying franchise records under Harbaugh (2008, 2014).
Gillmore suffered his back injury during the Week 13 game against Miami. He sat out Sunday versus the Seahawks, the third game he's missed this season. Gillmore was sidelined in Weeks 4 and 5 due to a calf injury.
It's been a breakout season for the second-year tight end. Gillmore, a 2014 third-round pick out of Colorado State last season, became the Ravens' starter this season with Dennis Pitta (hip) out.
He showed his big-time potential as a receiver, displaying soft hands and a bulldozing nature after the catch. Gillmore has posted 33 catches for 412 yards and four touchdowns this season.
If Gillmore is out for the rest of the year, the Ravens will be down to rookie second-round pick Maxx Williams, former practice squad player Konrad Reuland and recently-signed Richard Gordon on the 53-man roster.
Pitta hasn't played all year and rookie Nick Boyle was suspended for the final four games due to a violation of the league's substance-abuse policy.
The Ravens had high hopes for their trio of tight ends (Gillmore, Williams and Boyle) in the second half of the season, but that hasn't panned out as hoped.
At this point, Harbaugh was more open than usual with injury news.
"I'm being more honest than I usually am, probably," he said with a laugh. "I'm as frustrated as everybody is, I guess. I'm sure [Chiefs Head] Coach [Andy] Reid is appreciative of that."
