Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins, tight end Nick Boyle and rookie defensive tackle Travis Jones will make their season debut in Sunday’s Week 3 matchup against the New England Patriots.
Cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey (groin), Damarion “Pepe” Williams (ankle) and Marcus Peters (knee) as well as defensive back Brandon Stephens (quad) are active after being listed as questionable to play. Wide receiver Devin Duvernay cleared concussion protocol and will play against the Patriots.
Jones, who suffered a knee injury in Baltimore’s preseason matchup against the Arizona Cardinals last month, will play after being a full participant in practice this week. Boyle will make his debut in Gillette Stadium, where he suffered a brutal knee injury two years ago.
Dobbins hasn’t played since tearing his ACL, LCL and meniscus in his left knee, along with his hamstring, in last year’s preseason finale against the Washington Commanders. Dobbins practiced fully for the second straight week, but when coach John Harbaugh was asked about the running back’s availability, he said “You’ll know it when you see it.”
Dobbins told reporters before Week 2′s matchup against the Miami Dolphins that he felt “amazing” more than a year after his knee injury, which he called “one of the toughest injuries I’ve had.”
Dobbins, who led all NFL running backs in yards per carry as a rookie, was cleared to practice in training camp in early August and has been slowly ramping up. The Ravens have been cautious with Dobbins, as he didn’t fully participate in practice until two weeks ago.
Dobbins’ return is a major boost for a struggling run game. The Ravens are 13th in the NFL in yards per carry (4.7) and 18th in rushing offense (109.0 yards per game) while running backs Kenyan Drake, Mike Davis and Justice Hill have amassed 74 yards on 29 carries (2.6 per attempt).
The Ravens have five players inactive. Wide receiver James Proche II (groin), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), defensive end Brent Urban, running back Kenyan Drake and cornerback Daryl Worley will not play against the Patriots.
For the Patriots, leading wide receiver Jakobi Meyers will not play due to a knee injury. Starting safety Kyle Dugger (knee), linebacker Raekwon McMillan (thumb), defensive tackle Sam Roberts, quarterback Bailey Zappe and cornerback Shaun Wade are inactive.
()