Injury Report: Ravens Have Short Injury List For Browns Matchup, Justin Forsett Officially Out For Season
By Danny Cox
Mathematically, the Baltimore Ravens aren't yet eliminated from playoff contention, but making it into the postseason with a record of 3-7 will be difficult. They'll need to win out, get a lot of help, and stop having their most talented players lost for the season due to injury.
The rest of the season begins on Monday night when the Ravens face off with the Cleveland Browns, and they're going to have to do it without two key offensive players. Quarterback Joe Flacco was just placed on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury. Making matters worse is that the Ravens also lost their top running back for the season too.
Justin Forsett was placed on injured reserve Friday, officially ending his season due to a broken arm he suffered against the St. Louis Rams. Forsett finished the season with 641 yards and two touchdowns. It's not as good of a season as he had last year, but he was indeed their leading rusher.
Three others are listed as doubtful this week and they're all on offense which is only going to make things even worse. Tackle Eugene Monroe is dealing with a shoulder injury that kept him from practicing all this week and he is likely out, but could be seen as a game-time decision. Wide receiver Marlon Brown (back) and guard Kelechi Osemele (knee) also did not practice this week and chances are, they won't be playing on Monday night.
The loss of Forsett means that defensive end Brent Urban has been officially activated and could see his first action as a Raven come Monday night. Fans have been waiting for him to make his debut, but constant injuries have stopped him from getting on the field. Now, he's fully healthy and ready to play. It's quite possible that fans and coaches could finally see how big of an impact Urban can make for the Ravens.
Injuries have just plagued Baltimore this season and landed numerous players on injured reserve. Forsett and Flacco join Terrell Suggs, Steve Smith Sr., Michael Campanaro and Jeremy Zuttah on injured reserve. Weekly injuries have filled in as well and made things harder to get past.
The Baltimore Ravens are still going to play hard, but the losses due to injury have just made it so difficult. All of the players stepping up will have to learn to gel quickly and hope to pull out a win on Monday against the Cleveland Browns, who have plenty of problems of their own.
Probable:
Nick Boyle, TE (foot)
Questionable:
Shareece Wright, CB (back)
Doubtful:
Eugene Monroe, T (shoulder)
Marion Brown, WR (back)
Kelechi Osmele, G (knee)
Out:
Justin Forsett, RB (arm)
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
