Losing by 28 points to the Colts is the least of the Ravens’ concerns.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said starting right guard Marshal Yanda likely is out for the year with a knee injury. The 6-foot-3, 310-pounder injured his right knee in the final two minutes of a 31-3 loss to the Colts on Sunday.
The injury is the most serious to the Ravens’ offensive line — the youngest in the NFL — that already was without right tackle Adam Terry, who missed Sunday’s game with a sprained knee.
Harbaugh said Chris Chester, rookie Oneil Cousins or Terry —if healthy — are the candidates to replace Yanda.
“[Marshal’s] really playing well,” Harbaugh said. “He’s been an anchor for our offensive line and he’s going to be a guy we’re going to have to replace and it’s going to take the whole offensive line to do it.”
Yanda is just the latest starter to suffer an injury for the Ravens (2-3), who played the Colts (3-2) without starting cornerback Samari Rolle (neck/shoulder), safety Dawan Landry (neck) and top reserve cornerback Fabian Washington (shoulder). Harbaugh, however, is optimistic Washington will play against the Dolphins (2-3) on Sunday afternoon at 1 in Dolphin Stadium.
Quarterback Peyton Manning torched the Ravens’ depleted secondary for 271 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-28 passing, as he dominated the league’s top-ranked defense.
“Going into the season, we definitely thought the strength of our team was going to be the depth of our secondary,” Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said. “Right now, we’re having to use it, unfortunately. Without question, last year, I think, was a little tough. We had guys starting that aren’t even playing in the league now, so we feel good about the guys that are out there now.”
Harbaugh said there was plenty of blame to go around on Sunday after the third-most lopsided loss in franchise history and sixth straight to the Colts. But Harbaugh refused to single any one person or unit out, including defensive back Chris McAlister, who gave up two touchdowns to receiver Marvin Harrison.
“They executed pretty much better in every phase,” he said. “Their quarterback played well, their skill guys played well, their defense played fast and they beat us.”
Harbaugh confirmed his confidence in rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, who completed 28-of-38 passes for 241 yards and three interceptions — giving him five during the team’s three-game losing streak.
“You’re always concerned about turnovers because you want to win,” Harbaugh said. “When you take a look at each one if those it’s just an issue of learning from those mistakes.”
NOTES
With the NFL’s trading deadline set for today, Harbaugh said he didn’t expect the Ravens to make any moves… Former Ravens fullback Chuck Evans, who was a member of the Super Bowl XXXV championship team, died from heart failure in Atlanta on Sunday.
Evans, 41, an 11th-round pick by the Vikings in 1992, spent seven seasons in Minnesota before playing for the Ravens from 1999-00. The Cockeysville resident rushed for 498 yards and had 110 catches for 766 yards in his career.
Ground floor: The Ravens’ 31-3 loss to Indianapolis on Sunday was their third-most lopsided in franchise history.
Date Opponent Score
11/9/97 at Steelers 37-0
11/5/07 at Steelers 38-7
Sunday at Colts 31-3
11/13/05 at Jaguars 30-3
10/21/99 vs. Chiefs 35-8
11/1/98 vs. Jaguars 45-19
12/9/07 vs. Colts 44-20
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