The Baltimore Ravens might be without their No. 2 receiver and star kick returner until Halloween.
The knee injury that knocked Jacoby Jones out of Thursday's season-opening loss to the Denver Broncos has been diagnosed as an MCL sprain, a source informed the injury told NFL Media Insider's Ian Rapoport on Friday night.
The injury is expected to sideline Jones for four to six weeks, a league source told Pro Football Talk.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome now plans to scour the free-agent market, according to The Baltimore Sun.
Brandon Lloyd, Laurent Robinson and Austin Collie are the premier talents among the available veterans. While Lloyd has gotten nary a nibble on the open market, concussion risk Robinson remains unsigned after working out for a half-dozen teams since the end of the July.
Collie has concussion concerns of his own and has been limited to the slot throughout his career. It's worth nothing, though, that he played under Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell with the Indianapolis Colts.
Other available free agents include Braylon Edwards, Mohamed Massaquoi, Donte' Stallworth, Lavelle Hawkins and Michael Jenkins. If the Ravens place an emphasis on special teams, Josh Cribbs is out there.
In the immediate aftermath of Jones' injury, undrafted rookie Marlon Brown should ascend to the Ravens' starting lineup opposite Torrey Smith. From what we've seen on game tape the past few weeks, no street free agent will be able to beat him out by the time Jones returns.
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