The Ravens opened their 2024 preseason with a last-second 16-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore didn’t play most of its starters as Head Coach John Harbaugh got looks at a bunch of different players. Here’s who stood out:
CB Nate Wiggins
The first-round rookie was tested on the first drive, and he came up in a big way. Wiggins had three passes defended in his first sequence as a Raven, including a beautiful swat of a fourth-down pass. Wiggins’ terrific showing was soured as he left the game early with a shoulder injury. After the game, Harbaugh said he had no update on Wiggins.
DB Pepe Williams
On a third-down for Philadelphia, Williams came flying through the line on a blitz and had a 10-yard sack on quarterback Kenny Pickett. Williams also got some punt return reps, returning one 18 yards. He recently said on The Lounge podcast that he wants to be someone who can play everywhere, and having return experience could increase his value.
Our insiders, Garrett Downing and Clifton Brown, sat down with defensive back Pepe Williams to discuss training camp, his recovery from last year’s ankle surgery, competing for a starting job and the mindset going into the preseason.
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RB Owen Wright
Wright got the start with the third running back spot still available, and he showed some burst. He had a 17-yard reception and a 12-yard carry, finishing with 50 total yards. A big preseason in 2023 helped Wright earn a practice squad spot last season, and another one in 2024 could put him on the active roster.
ILB Trenton Simpson
Simpson played the first three quarters and was active all night with 11 tackles. The second-year linebacker will replace Patrick Queen who departed for Pittsburgh, and Simpson got some important reps after only playing 46 defensive snaps last season.
WR Tylan Wallace
Wallace had one of the best offensive plays Friday, coming back for a Josh Johnson pass and laying out to make a 19-yard reception. Wallace finished with two catches for 26 yards and even tacked on a special teams tackle.
WR Dayton Wade
Wade had a drop early in the game but made up for it with four catches for a team-high 27 yards. On a fourth-and-two late, Wade put his foot in the ground and spun out of a tackle to pick up the first down. That play extended Baltimore’s only touchdown drive of the game.
DE C.J. Ravenell
Ravenell ended the first half with half a sack on Pickett, and early in the second half set the edge on Pickett and tackled him near the line of scrimmage. Ravenell was disruptive on Friday, and the undrafted rookie out of Missouri Western certainly looks like he fits at 6-foot-5, 292 pounds.
T Roger Rosengarten
Making his NFL debut, things were pretty quiet on Rosengarten’s side, which is usually a good thing for an offensive lineman. The second-round pick didn’t start at right tackle, but he got considerable time there and played well.
Baltimore’s Pass Rush
The Ravens had two sacks on Friday and only one came from the defensive front. Baltimore was playing without players like Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, and David Ojabo, and the defensive line struggled to get to the quarterbacks.
QB Josh Johnson
Johnson went 4-for-12 for 62 yards and played into the second half. He didn’t turn the ball over, but the offense didn’t get much going. Johnson did have some nice throws, including a dart over the middle to Keith Kirkwood.