Browns’ Defensive Tackle Depth Faces Severe Test Against Ravens’ Ground Game

The Cleveland Browns injury report Ravens week has arrived with an uncomfortable symmetry: Cleveland listed 17 players, Baltimore listed 21, and the most consequential cluster sits right where the Ravens aim their offense. Four Browns defensive tackles are hurt. Only Maliek Collins is likely to play.

Inside the Defensive Tackle Room

Mason Graham has knee and ankle injuries. He missed the Jets game and has not practiced since being hurt in Pittsburgh. Mike Hall Jr. carries an ankle injury and also has not practiced since that game. Kalia Davis, dealing with a quad injury, practiced once last week. Collins had his foot stepped on against the Jets, sat out Wednesday, was limited Thursday, and is expected to play.

That leaves Cleveland thin in the middle of the line, and the timing is unforgiving. Baltimore averages 164.4 rushing yards per game. Derrick Henry has 476 rushing yards, 262 of them after contact. The Browns allow 117.4 rushing yards per game. Jared Verse described Henry as defensive-end sized, strong and fast, and likely to break tackles.

Lamar Jackson and the Slot Problem

Lamar Jackson missed Wednesday and Thursday practice with an ankle injury. His final status remains uncertain, though the expectation is that he will play if possible. Zay Flowers, limited Thursday with a toe injury, leads the NFL with 318 slot receiving yards. The Browns rank 25th against slot receivers. Rashod Bateman did not practice Thursday because of shoulder and knee injuries.

Running Back Room Thinned Out

Quinshon Judkins has an ankle injury to the same ankle that was surgically repaired last season, and his availability is not promising. Raheim Sanders is on injured reserve with a hip injury. Dylan Sampson practiced Thursday for the first time since injuring his knee in the opener, but his status is in doubt. Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime are available; Estime joined the Browns on Tuesday. Cleveland ranks 21st in rushing offense.

Quarterbacks Healthy, Stakes High

All Browns quarterbacks are healthy. Dillon Gabriel is practicing without setbacks from a back injury. The Browns are 3-2, and a win could put them in first place in the AFC North. Sam Kamara, who played 40 snaps against the Jets and recorded his first NFL sack, combined with Adin Huntington and Collins for eight of the team’s 17 pressures on Geno Smith.

Both teams carry long injury lists into the matchup. The final calls on Graham, Hall, Davis, Judkins, Sampson and Jackson are still to come, and Cleveland’s defensive tackle depth remains the most urgent question.