Baltimore Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley to miss time with ankle injury

The Baltimore Ravens can’t catch a break this season.

The Ravens are “preparing to be without” starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley this week “and potentially far longer,” CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported Thursday.

Sources close to the Ravens told PFF that the team is talking about shuffling their offensive line because of concern over Stanley’s ankle injury, but that it’s still currently “up in the air,” and nothing definitive has been decided.

The Ravens are preparing to be without All Pro LT Ronnie Stanley this week and possibly far longer ad he undergoes more medical testing. Villanueva slides back to LT, his natural spot, with Patrick Makari next up to RT. OL was already under fire before this setback

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 16, 2021

Stanley’s 2020 season ended prematurely due to an ankle injury. He played only one preseason game this summer as he recovered from two surgeries to repair the ailment.

The sixth-year tackle played all 68 offensive snaps for Baltimore in their Week 1 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders but struggled in the game, registering a 48.9 overall PFF grade while allowing one quarterback hit and eight hurries.

Ravens' projected starting lineup: 2021 PFF grades

Right tackle Alejandro Villanueva, who previously played left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is expected to switch over to left tackle while Patrick Mekari will likely come off the bench to play right tackle. Villanueva also had a tough time against the Raiders, allowing two sacks, three QB hits and five hurries en route to a 44.3 overall PFF grade at right tackle.

The Ravens already have lost running backs J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, linebacker L.J. Fort and cornerback Marcus Peters for the season. Wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin, tight end Nick Boyle and left guard Tyre Phillips also are on injured reserve.

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BETTING IMPACT

An ugly start for the Ravens' futures outlook: It was only one loss for the Ravens on paper, but the futures market reacted quickly by dropping the team from their 11-game win total down to 9.5 after Week 1. DraftKings also adjusted their division outlook, as they dropped from a preseason break-even probability of 44.4% to 33.9%.

Wait and see with PFF Futures Tool: With a tough matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football ahead, the best approach could be waiting until after this week to see the outcome of PFF's simulation. PFF's Betting Futures Tool reveals betting opportunities within season win total and future markets.

Value on the Ravens to upset the Chiefs: Baltimore has moved out to +160 on the moneyline for their Sunday night showdown against the Chiefs. PFF's predictive models find the slightest amount of value on the Ravens to win outright. Expect a lower-scoring game than the current 55.5-point total, with PFF Greenline finding the most value targeting the under. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.

NFL IMPACT

One of the league's best: The former Notre Dame standout has earned the second-highest PFF pass-blocking grade among tackles since the start of 2018. His 3.5% pressure rate allowed over that same stretch ranks fourth among players at the position. Click here for PFF Premium Stats.

A big loss in pass protection: The Ravens have earned a team pass-blocking grade of 70.2 with Stanley in the lineup. That team pass-blocking grade dips to 64.1 if you look at the games he has missed.

Ravens running game poised for a dip: The Baltimore running game has been markedly better running to Stanley's side than it has to the right. On average, Ravens running backs average 2.9 yards before contact per attempt when running to the left, half a yard more than they do rushing behind their right tackle.

Ravens rushing attack in games Stanley has played since 2019

Click here to view Ronnie Stanley's career in PFF Premium Stats.

FANTASY FOOTBALL IMPACT

A considerable loss: Losing an All-Pro tackle is a major blow for a Ravens team that allowed a league-high 59% pressure rate in Week 1. Kansas City’s Chris Jones and company could wreck the game by overwhelming Baltimore’s offensive line. Jones tallied three pressures against an elite Browns offensive line in Week 1, and his 60 total pressures in 2020 ranked fifth among all interior defenders. Click here for PFF's OL/DL Matchup Chart.

Make a move for Williams: Ty’Son Williams led the Ravens backfield in Week 1 with a 51% snap rate and racked up 94 total yards and a score. However, this running back rotation is likely to be a frustrating committee, with Latavius Murray (31% snap rate) and the looming threat of Le’Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman. Williams is the running back you want to roster in fantasy, but it might be a bumpy ride. Click here for PFF's Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings.