Kyle Van Noy Provides Update on Eye Injury
Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy provided some details on the eye injury he suffered during the Ravens' loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last Thursday.
Van Noy confirmed that it was a fractured orbital bone, adding that the injury was "moderate, but still was serious because it's an eye." He didn't provide a timetable for his return.
"It was a pretty good fracture, and I'm still going through tests with specialists," Van Noy said on the "McCoy & Van Noy" podcast.
Van Noy explained how he sustained the injury, which occurred early in the third quarter.
"My face is flat after hitting [Chiefs quarterback Patrick] Mahomes, and then [Nnamdi] Madubuike hit Mahomes at the same time," Van Noy said. "My head was flat; Mahomes' body landed on top of my helmet. My helmet skipped under my chin strap and then [Madubuike] happened to lay his whole body weight on top of me, having the top pad of my helmet in my eye smashing the ground. The ground is undefeated, and I ended up suffering that fractured orbital bone in my eye."
Van Noy praised the emergency room staff at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City for their treatment of him, but said he was "disappointed" with how the Chiefs' training staff handled his injury.
"When you get hurt, especially something that could be serious like mine was, you're supposed to rely on the team's training staff or their doctors, and I was supposed to see an ophthalmologist … and they took an entire quarter to get down to talk to me in the locker room," Van Noy said. "Which, to me, is unacceptable, because then you start thinking, 'What if I was trying to go back in the game? What if I was really, really hurt?'"
Pundit Says Managing Derrick Henry's Workload Is Smart Decision
Derrick Henry's fantasy managers probably didn't like hearing Head Coach John Harbaugh say that the Ravens didn't sign Henry "to be the guy that gets the ball 30 times a game," but "Pat McAfee Show" co-host and former NFL cornerback Darius Butler said managing the veteran running back's workload is a smart decision.
"You obviously want him in the playoffs, you want him late in games in the playoffs, Super Bowl, obviously, potentially," Butler said. "That fourth quarter when he just weighs on you, weighs on you, then he hits you for that 40-, 50-, 70-yard run, that's where it really breaks your back. I understand it. You want to limit him throughout the year, keep him fresh. So that's smart."
Henry's workload became a topic of discussion after he had 13 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. Five of Henry's carries came on the opening drive.
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra said Henry can make an impact even when he doesn't get the ball.
"Henry's mere presence should open a few more lanes for Lamar Jackson and make the Ravens more potent in the red zone, but it appears the days of Henry leading the NFL in carries is over," Patra wrote.
Patra also noted that Justice Hill helps take some of the burden off of Henry because of his pass-catching ability. Hill caught six passes for 52 yards against the Chiefs.
"The more interesting aspect of Thursday's game regarding the Ravens' backfield is the prominent role Justice Hill played as a third-down and pass-catching back," Patra wrote. "By default, Henry not being on the field for all three downs will lighten his load."
Nate Wiggins Is Off to 'Good Start'
First-round cornerback Nate Wiggins made a positive impression in his NFL debut.
Wiggins earned a 76.0 grade from Pro Football Focus. It was the third-best grade on the Ravens' defense, behind safety Ar'Darius Washington (86.5) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (85.4). Wiggins had the second-best grade among 12 rookie cornerbacks.
"Wiggins played a limited role in Baltimore's season opener but acclimated himself nicely in coverage," PFF's Dalton Wasserman wrote. "He allowed just one reception, a screen to Rashee Rice, picking up a tackle assist on the play and holding it just a gain of just one yard. Wiggins was often left in single coverage matchups but never faltered, even when matched up with Rice, who was the Chiefs' best receiving threat on the night.
"Week 1 was a good start for Wiggins as he seeks more playing time."
