Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley, widely regarded as the team's best offensive lineman, is now out for the season after suffering an ankle injury on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
#Ravens coach John Harbaugh says LT Ronnie Stanley will be out for the season with a “severe ankle injury.”
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 1, 2020
Stanley had just signed a five-year extension worth $98.75 million, a testament to his value within the Ravens organization. Not having Stanley in the trenches for the remainder of the season removes a reliable run and pass blocker for Lamar Jackson. Given what transpired in Baltimore's 28-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Stanley's absence casts an even larger shadow over a season which took a negative turn in Maryland.
The Ravens used a run-heavy approach against the Steelers. To an extent, the approach worked; the Ravens were able to move the ball in the fourth quarter. They did wear down the Steelers' defense. However, Lamar Jackson struggled as a passer throughout the game.
The Ravens knew they needed to shore up their passing attack in the offseason after losing to a physical opponent, the Tennessee Titans, in last season's divisional playoff round. Against the Steelers, the Ravens encountered another physical slugfest which would challenge their ability to make big downfield plays in the passing game.
Jackson simply didn't provide enough of them. The passing game isn't there.
Having Ronnie Stanley as a dependable presence would have given Lamar more time to figure out the passing game as the season wears on. Now, he won't have the same level of pass protection.
The Ravens should be encouraged that they ran the ball as well as they did without Stanley versus the Steelers, but if Jackson has less time to throw in December and January, the path to the Super Bowl will be harder for him and his team.
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