The Ravens starters are gearing up for a heavy dose of preseason football Saturday night against Washington.
Most of the first-team unit will play into the third quarter during the matchup at M&T Bank Stadium, which is essentially a dress rehearsal for the regular season. Quarterback Joe Flacco and the first-team offense played 41 snaps in last year's third preseason game, and the expectation is to be around that mark again.
"We'll try to go out there and get some work done and get ready for the regular season," Head Coach John Harbaugh said.
Short-Handed Offensive Line
The biggest question mark going into the game surrounds who will protect Flacco.
The offensive line is shorthanded because of all the injuries in training camp and the preseason – nine linemen were nursing injuries by the end of last week's game – and the group will have to get creative to keep their quarterbacks upright.
Offensive Coordinator Marc Trestman summed it up when he said, "Lord willing, we'll have enough [offensive linemen]to play. And I say that with great sincerity and hope that we'll get enough guys that we can play."
The left side of the line will likely be without starting tackle Eugene Monroe and guard Kelechi Osemele. Monroe hasn't practiced all week because of a wrist injury, and Osemele hasn't practiced either after missing last week's game.
"Eugene has a pretty serious bruise there on his forearm," Harbaugh said. "He's not cleared to practice this week with that. There's not a fracture or anything like that, as far as I know. I'll put everything with a caveat there, but it should be no problem for the regular season."
The good news with the line is that starting right tackle Rick Wagner (foot), and reserves Jah Reid (back) and John Urschel (concussion) all returned to practice after missing last week's game. James Hurst (concussion) also practiced Thursday after getting hurt against the Eagles.
Perriman, Campanaro Unlikely to Play
Rookie first-round pick Breshad Perriman (knee) is likely out for his third-straight preseason game. He hasn't practiced since July 30, and the Ravens have given no recent indication about when he will get back on the field.
"It's just a slower healing than [doctors] expected, and they really don't have a timetable right now," Harbaugh said. "That's really all I have to say on that."
Second-year receiver Michael Campanaro (soft-tissue issue) also seems unlikely to play after missing the entire week of practice. He was hurt in practice with the Eagles last week and didn't play in the game.
Harbaugh described the injury as "a day-to-day thing," but it seems unlikely that he'd play after sitting all week.
Webb Still Out, Melvin Returns
Cornerback Lardarius Webb continues to miss time with a hamstring injury. Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees said this week he's “absolutely” concerned about Webb missing so much time after getting hurt Aug. 11.
Webb hasn't played in either preseason game and it seems unlikely for him to make his debut this week.
His replacement, Rashaan Melvin, also missed practice time this week with a "soft-tissue issue," but he returned to the field Thursday. He could be ready to play if the issue is cleared up by Saturday.
If Webb and Melvin are both out, then Kyle Arrington will likely start opposite Jimmy Smith.
