The Ravens’ secondary had its share of struggles in last week’s season-opening loss to the Chiefs in Kansas City, where Patrick Mahomes completed 20 of 28 passes for 291 yards and wide receiver Rashee Rice had seven catches for 103 yards.
Now, their defensive backfield has suffered another blow with rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins held out of practice Thursday because of a neck injury. It was the second missed practice of the week for the first-round draft pick, who was also absent Monday but was a participant on Wednesday and not listed on the injury report until Thursday.
Wiggins played just 17 defensive snaps against the Chiefs, but he fared well lining up almost exclusively out wide and finishing with just one catch allowed on one target for 1 yard and with one tackle and one assist.
Should he not be able to go in Baltimore’s home opener Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens do have at least some depth at the position with Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Jalyn Armour-Davis and rookie T.J. Tampa. That should help against the Raiders’ receiving combo of three-time All-Pro Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.
Baltimore is also in good shape with relatively few injuries elsewhere on the roster, with outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (eye) the only other player not practicing Thursday. Meanwhile, inside linebacker Roquan Smith (shoulder) was a full participant after being limited Wednesday, while outside linebacker Adisa Isaac (hamstring) was again limited.
For the Raiders, defensive end Tyree Wilson (knee) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) did not practice for a second straight day. Starting center Andre James (elbow) and starting left tackle Kolton Miller (knee) were both full participants after being limited on Wednesday, while reserve rookie guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (illness) remained a limited participant.
Tight end Brock Bowers (shoulder) and linebackers Divine Deablo (shoulder) and Tommy Eichenberg (knee) were all full participants for a second straight day.