Ravens cornerback Chris Westry was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday and will miss Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, the latest blow to a secondary reeling from injuries and the coronavirus.
Westry, who was limited in practice by a knee injury, has started two games this season and was expected to pair with Anthony Averett as the team’s starting outside cornerbacks Sunday. Starting safety Chuck Clark, who was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, will also be sidelined. The Ravens were already without starting cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters and starting safety DeShon Elliott because of season-ending injuries.
The new absences undercut a Ravens secondary that must contain quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver Davante Adams and a potent Packers passing attack. Along with Averett and starting slot corner Tavon Young, the Ravens will have reserves Jimmy Smith and Kevon Seymour and practice squad call-up Robert Jackson in their cornerback rotation. At safety, they’ll have starter Brandon Stephens; reserves Geno Stone and Anthony Levine Sr.; and new practice squad addition Tony Jefferson, a former starter in Baltimore who was called up Saturday.
Only Averett, Young and Stephens have started games this season for the AFC North-leading Ravens, who have lost two straight games and enter Week 15 ranked 26th in the NFL in pass defense efficiency, according to Football Outsiders. Green Bay, meanwhile, has the league’s second-most efficient passing offense.
On offense, where quarterback Lamar Jackson’s sprained ankle remains an issue, the Ravens promoted three practice squad linemen — tackles Jaryd Jones-Smith and David Sharpe and center Adam Redmond — to help their depth up front. Left guard Ben Powers was already ruled out of Sunday’s game with a foot injury. Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva (knee) and right tackle Tyre Phillips (illness) missed practice Thursday and Friday, and right tackle Patrick Mekari (hand) was limited all week by a hand injury.
The Ravens will also be without special teams coach T.J. Weist, who tested positive for COVID-19 and will not coach against the Packers. Special teams coach Randy Brown will take over for Weist on Sunday and will work alongside special teams coordinator Chris Horton.
Like Clark, reserve center Trystan Colon also remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list. With the NFL having eased its return-to-play protocols this week amid leaguewide outbreaks, some designated players were eligible for activation if they tested negative.
