The Ravens‘ pass rush could receive a huge boost today as rookie second-round pick David Ojabo is reportedly set to make his NFL debut, according to Rich Eisen of NFL Network. The Score’s Jordan Schultz first reported Ojabo would be good to go this week.
Ojabo was a first-round talent who dropped to the second round of the draft when he suffered a torn Achilles while performing in his pro day at Michigan. Playing across from No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, Ojabo was impressive in his own right, nearly matching Hutchinson blow-for-blow with 11 sacks and 12 tackles for loss to Hutchinson’s 14 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss.
The Ravens took the value pick, knowing that Ojabo likely wouldn’t debut for the team until late in the year and hoping it would help gear up the defense for a playoff run. The team designated Ojabo to return from the reserve/non-football injury list at the same time as they designated outside linebacker Tyus Bowser to return from the reserve/physically unable to perform list in mid-October. Both players were officially activated from their respective lists on November 1.
Both moves were announced shortly after Baltimore acquired Roquan Smith in a trade with the Bears. Bowser and Smith have already debuted for the Ravens this season, and the additions have been significant. Adding Ojabo to the mix give the Ravens a linebacking corps that consists of Smith, Patrick Queen, Bowser, Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Houston, Odafe Oweh, and Ojabo, among others. A unit that appeared to be a weakness heading into the season is now overloaded with talent.
Here are a few other rumors concerning the two teams in the AFC North that will face off later today:
- Browns veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper has reportedly been dealing with a core muscle injury. The team’s top receiver has been playing through the injury, according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, and hasn’t considered the prospect of potential surgery in the offseason. Losing Cooper would be detrimental for Cleveland. Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones account for 80% of the catches and nearly 86% of the receiving yards by Browns receivers. Cleveland wideouts have caught eight total touchdowns this season; Cooper has accounted for seven of them. Cooper has struggled to find chemistry so far this year with new starting quarterback Deshaun Watson. In two games with Watson behind center, Cooper has six catches for 82 yards.
- Speaking of the Browns’ new starting passer, Watson has continued his mandatory treatment program, despite his 11-game suspension coming to an end. A report two weeks ago detailed that sources have claimed Watson has shown “signs of progress” during the program, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The program is confidential, so the laymen are not privy to the details of his treatment. A source with knowledge of the program told Schefter, “(Watson)’s been progressing well and he wants to continue with it.” The team, league, and Players Association feel it’s helping him, and he’ll continue treatment until it’s been determined that it’s no longer needed, which, reportedly, “could take a while.”
- Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will miss his second straight game with a PCL sprain today, allowing backup quarterback Tyler Huntley to make his second consecutive start. The team is hopeful, though, that Jackson will be back at practice this week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Ravens remain hopeful that he may even play on Christmas Eve against the Falcons.
- The Ravens will lose a staffer at the end of the year as defensive assistant Ryan Osborn is set to become the defensive coordinator at Charlotte at the conclusion of the season. Osborn works closely with the outside linebackers and defensive linemen for Baltimore. He held a similar role last year as a defensive analyst at the University of Michigan, before following defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to Baltimore. Osborn was a key proponent in helping Hutchinson and Ojabo get drafted as highly as they were and has done an admirable job of piecing together a strong pass rush for a Ravens team that has dealt with injuries at the position.
Watson is struggling to find “chemistry” with Cooper?
Is it because Cooper consents to receiving his balls?
Doesn’t do it for him?
So all details of Watson’s treatment are private, but sources say he’s doing well at it. This is like when sources with the Browns said Watson was remorseful, even though Watson has had ample opportunities to show remorse publicly, but never has. Schefter is just printing what a team source wants him to.
Baltimore been the same thing for a few seasons now. Really good defence and running game but struggles to throw the ball. At first they blamed Lamar for it then he proved everyone wrong and showed he can throw the ball and so they shipped out his 1 good WR and now they have very little options to throw at.
For a short time when Hollywood was there, AB was working out with him and Lamar and there was rumours of him signing. I think they they had added AB then they could’ve done something albeit in the short term. However Lamar running, Mark Andrews in close and Hollywood and AB out wide it would’ve been a good looking offence.
I can’t see Baltimore doing much without the pass catchers there and then it’ll lead into the offseason in which they still need to work out a deal for Lamar.
Just imagine Lamar doesn’t agree to terms with Baltimore. Just for fun, he moves closer to home down to the ATL. Falcons have Allinger at RB who looks alright, Drake London and Kyle Pitts as pass catchers. Their line is alright and coach Arthur Smith is working on making that better.
He moves out of the AFC and having to face the chiefs, bills, chargers and bengals in the playoffs. Instead he’s now in the NFC South, Buccs are old and Brady will be gone soon, Panthers suck and Saints still don’t have a QB or HC.
He could turn the falcons into the best team in that division and then when he goes to the playoffs will likely face the cowboys, Seahawks, etc and cake walk into the conference final.
For the legacy it would be great, doing it where Micheal Vick and Matt Ryan were taking them to the playoffs every year. They’ve only won 2 conference titles as a franchise and never a title. If he was to elevate them to being that good which in a conference that looks to be getting weaker it would be great for his legacy.
ATL has the cap space make it happen