Ravens RT Patrick Mekari ruled out vs. Browns; Cleveland won’t have leading receiver, top tackler
Ravens right tackle Patrick Mekari was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns with a hand injury, while seven others were listed on the team’s injury report.
Wide receiver Miles Boykin, limited all week by a finger injury, is doubtful. Fullback Patrick Ricard (back) and tight end Nick Boyle (knee), who were limited Friday in their return to practice, are questionable.
Four defensive backs are questionable — cornerbacks Anthony Averett (knee) and Chris Westry (thigh), safety Brandon Stephens (shoulder) and defensive back Anthony Levine Sr. (knee) — but all except Levine were full participants in practice Friday. Levine was limited.
The Browns will be missing several starters and key contributors, most notably at tight end. David Njoku (reserve/COVID-19 list), the team’s leading receiver, and Harrison Bryant (ankle) have been ruled out. Austin Hooper is fourth on Cleveland with 28 catches for 261 yards and two touchdowns, but the Browns have been most effective this year in heavier personnel groupings.
“They’re going to run their offense still,” coach John Harbaugh said. “What they’ll do [is,] they’ll do it with different groups on the field. They have certain plays they run more in certain packages, but they can put different players on the field and do some of the same roles. … So they’ll find ways to do it. They are very good coaches, and they have a lot of good players. So, I’m sure we’re going to see a real good team out there, whatever it is. Whatever groups, we just have to be ready for whatever it might be.”
The Browns also ruled out rookie wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (concussion); starting inside linebacker Anthony Walker (reserve/COVID-19 list), their leading tackler; and starting cornerback Greg Newsome (concussion), a first-round pick who hit his head on the ground late in practice Friday. Starting defensive tackle Malik Jackson (knee), reserve defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (knee) and starting safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. (ankle) are all questionable.