The Baltimore Ravens’ postseason chances are looking increasingly shaky. They have lost four straight, including Thursday night’s 33-10 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and injuries at quarterback have left them scrambling.
Baltimore recently acquired Jacoby Brissett in hopes of steadying the position. At the same time, trade-deadline talk has focused on whether the team might move star running back Derrick Henry. With the deadline set for Tuesday, some expected the Ravens to at least consider offers for the 32-year-old.
That doesn’t appear to be the case. Baltimore has told other teams Henry is not available ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline.
The rumors gained traction partly because two of Henry’s former coaches, John Harbaugh and Mike Vrabel, could use help at running back. Harbaugh’s New York Giants are reportedly looking to buy, and they have also shown interest in Indianapolis Colts back Jonathan Taylor. A reunion with Vrabel in New England might have made sense, too, especially after TreVeyon Henderson was hospitalized with what were described as unexplained neurological symptoms.
Henry remains an important part of the offense led by Declan Doyle, though the Ravens haven’t been able to make much of it lately. Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, was sidelined with a high-ankle sprain before returning against the Buffalo Bills last week. On the opening snap, his throwing hand struck the hand of Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau. Jackson needed thumb surgery and was placed on injured reserve.
Tyler “Snoop” Huntley took over, as he had earlier in the season, but injured his toe in the same game and is now out for the rest of the year. Rookie Joe Fagnano, recently signed out of UConn, was pressed into action and started in Baltimore’s 36-10 loss to Buffalo.
The Ravens then traded for Brissett. He had been benched by the Arizona Cardinals during their Week 8 comeback win over the Dallas Cowboys, with Gardner Minshew taking over. Arizona later named rookie Carson Beck its backup for Week 9.
Brissett arrived too late to play Thursday night against Jacksonville. In steady rain, Baltimore’s offense struggled with Fagnano at quarterback. The Ravens are hoping Brissett can keep them in the playoff hunt while Jackson recovers. Jackson is expected to miss at least the next four games on injured reserve, and Baltimore, now 4-5, has lost its last three games by 20 points or more.
For a team trying to stop its season from slipping away, Henry’s ability to run the ball would seem especially valuable. But after Thursday’s loss, he made clear he wasn’t asking to leave.
“I have not mentioned me going anywhere else,” Henry said. “I’m saying, ‘Let’s go back to work. Let’s try to get better and turn this thing around.’”
