The Ravens’ defense recorded a shutout on Sunday. The unit will likely be without another starter for the remainder of the season, however. 
Linebacker Teddye Buchanan was carted off the field yesterday after suffering a knee injury during punt coverage. After the game, head coach John Harbaugh expressed concern a lengthy absence would be in store and it appears that will indeed be the case. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Buchanan is feared to have suffered an ACL tear.
Further testing will take place today to confirm the diagnosis. Presuming that takes place, Baltimore will be without a starter at the second level of the defense. Trenton Simpson began the year in a timeshare with Buchanan for playing time, but the latter quickly took on a full-time role. A fourth-round rookie, Buchanan has totaled 93 tackles in 2025; that figure ranks second on the team behind only Roquan Smith.
Instead of continuing in his role down the stretch and potentially into the postseason, Buchanan’s attention will now turn to a lengthy recovery process. The 23-year-old’s availability for the start of next season will be in question provided an ACL tear winds up being confirmed in his case. Meanwhile, a Ravens front seven which is already without All-Pro defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike for the remainder of the year will move forward with a different tandem at the linebacker spot.
Smith will be tasked with remaining one of the Ravens’ top producers on defense. It now remains to be seen who will start alongside him at the other LB position, though. Simpson – a third-round pick in 2023 who has totaled 16 starts in his career – is the likeliest candidate. The Clemson product took over as a first-team presence after Buchanan exited, registering nine tackles. Undrafted rookie Jay Higgins resides on IR, so veteran special teamer Jake Hummel rounds out Baltimore’s depth chart at the moment.
Yesterday’s win moved the Ravens to 7-7 on the year. Top spot in the AFC North is still within reach, and winning the division is likely the only path to a postseason berth for Baltimore. If that is to be achieved, Buchanan will not be able to play a role the rest of the way.
Lots of torn knees this week. Good thing the NFL & NFLPA wants even more games.