As the NFL preseason gets set to kickoff Thursday night, it is time to take a look at how the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver situation. The Ravens have depth at the wide receiver position. On the 90 man roster, 12 of the players are receivers. All of them won’t make the team of course, but the team has choices on who they think will best fit, and who will make plays.
Baltimore Ravens Wide Reviever Situation
Something that is not helping out the receiving group is injuries. There have been some notable injuries to Ravens receivers.
Injuries
Steve Smith Sr. who tore his Achilles tendon last season, remains on the physically unable to perform list (PUP). It’s been reported that the former Carolina Panther will likely be ready to take the field in Week 1.
Another notable player is who is also on the PUP list is second year receiver Breshad Perriman. Perriman missed his entire rookie season, and then hurt his knee during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and is missing training camp. But, like Smith, Perriman will likely be back for the Ravens first regular season game against the Buffalo Bills.
The other injured receivers who should be pointed out are Michael Campanaro, Chris Matthews, and Chris Moore.
Campanaro has sustained multiple injuries during his short career, which is holding him back. The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon has shown great promise and playmaking ability, but hasn’t been able to stay on the field to showcase what he can do over an entire season. His latest injury isn’t extremely serious, but it does make John Harbaugh‘s job more difficult when deciding who to keep once the season arrives and the final 53 man roster needs to be set.
Matthews previously played for the Seattle Seahawks and appeared out of nowhere, it seemed, in Super Bowl XLIX. In that game the former Kentucky Wildcat caught four passes for a total of 109 yards and a touchdown. Otherwise, he has not done much. For the Ravens, Matthews has only caught nine passes for a total of 97 yards and a touchdown in four games. Matthews must do more to impress Harbaugh to make the team.
Moore was recently drafted in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Ravens in the fourth round. The former Cincinnati Bearcat has shown promise during training camp, but he must keep working and fight for a roster spot.
Looking Forward
There is no reason for Ravens fans to panic at the moment about the wide receiver group. The team still has Steve Smith, who is returning for one last season, as he hopes to end his career on a positive note. Baltimore still has their star from last season, Kamar Aiken, and the newly added Mike Wallace. Also, don’t forget that fans have yet to see Breshad Perriman in action, and he could be a very important weapon for Joe Flacco.
These four receivers, along with the others fighting for roster spots, will surely produce this upcoming season with the help of Flacco.
As long as there are no more injuries and Smith Sr. and Perriman get healthy, the 2016 Ravens will improve greatly from the 2015 season. With the hard working group of players, and a coach that does not settle for a season such as last year, great things are to come. Look for the Ravens to make a strong playoff bid this season.
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