The Baltimore Ravens' list of offseason injuries is gruesome to gander.
In just the past 10 days, John Harbaugh's team has lost running back Kenneth Dixon (MCL), guard John Urschel (retirement), corner Maurice Canady (MCL), tight end Crockett Gillmore (MCL) and guard Nico Siragusa (ACL, MCL). That week-and-a-half's worth doesn't even include Joe Flacco dealing with back pain, the retirement of Zach Orr in January, or the losses of CB Tavon Young (ACL), TE Dennis Pitta (hip) and TE Darren Waller (year-long suspension) in June.
One would understand if Ravens fans are freaking out. It's barely August and their team is a triage center.
Baltimore players, however, aren't fretting the injuries.
"At this stage of my career, I try to keep my head down and focus on what's in the building," guard Marshal Yanda said, via the team's official website. "I try to tell young guys that you can't be getting caught up in the media every day, because obviously, if you read the media, the sky is falling every day, and we aren't going to survive until tomorrow."
Added veteran Benjamin Watson, who was injured before the start of last season: "It always seems like your situation is the worst when you're in it. I swear, every training camp I'm like, 'Man, we have a lot of injuries.' And we, in fact, do. That being said, that's why it's a team game. It's incumbent upon other players to step in and play."
Way back in May, after the draft and free agency, the Ravens looked like a team primed to bounce back and snag a playoff berth. The attrition has hurt, but the core of a playoff-caliber team remains intact. The biggest injury to monitor is Flacco's back, but none of the other losses are season-killers. If Flacco is healthy for 16 games, the Ravens own the depth to fight their way to a potential postseason bid.
