The injury curse has struck the Ravens once again, as rookie offensive lineman Nico Siragusa will miss the 2017 season after tearing his ACL, MCL, and PCL today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Siragusa becomes the seventh key player Baltimore has lost for the season since June 1, as Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun indicates (Twitter links). Tight ends Crockett Gillmore and Dennis Pitta, running back Kenneth Dixon, and cornerback Tavon Young have all suffered serious injuries, tight end Darren Waller was suspended for the season, and offensive lineman John Urschel retired. This string of bad luck is beginning to cause a roster crunch for the Ravens, as injured non-vested veterans can’t be placed on injured reserve without being risked to waivers, tweets Zrebiec.
Siragusa, a San Diego State product, was selected with the 122nd overall pick in this year’s draft. Despite his rookie status, he’d been projected to start on a Ravens interior offensive line that is extremely short on talent aside from right guard Marshal Yanda. Baltimore’s remaining options at guard are nearly all as inexperienced as Siragusa, as players such as Jarell Broxton, Jarrod Pughsley, and Jermaine Eluemunor are all either rookies or second-year pros. Alex Lewis, a 2016 draft pick, currently looks like the favorite to take over at left guard.
If the Ravens decide to scan the open market for interior solutions, they’ll find a number of veterans who could offer serviceable play. Nick Mangold has been linked to Baltimore for some time, and could conceivably play either guard or center, allowing the Ravens to configure their line with flexibility in mind. Other free agent options include Austin Pasztor, Alvin Bailey, Tre’ Jackson, Khaled Holmes, and Austin Howard, the latter of whom reportedly piques Baltimore’s interest.
