It has already been a few days since training camp fully started and in that time there has been extensions, signings, retirements and unfortunate injuries around the NFL. Two of the teams hit the hardest by the injury bug during the offseason have been the Baltimore Ravens and the Detroit Lions.
Ravens lose two more players for the season
Tight end Crockett Gilmore, injured his knee in practice on Friday trying to make a catch. He then got surgery on Saturday to fix his torn meniscus. Now, the team has learned the extent of his injury has Gilmore tore his MCL and will miss the entire season.
This is another blow to the team's tight end core, as Dennis Pitta is out for the season due to a hip injury and Darren Waller got suspended for the 2017-18 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
To make matters worse for the Baltimore Ravens, they also lost rookie offensive lineman Nico Siragusa for the year. Siragusa, who was the team's fourth round pick out of San Diego State, got stuck in a pile during a running play. He had to be carted off the field with a knee injury. It was later revealed that he had torn his ALC, MCL, and PCL.
Over the last 62 days, the team has lost seven players for the season due to injury, suspension or retirement. Starting nickel cornerback Tavon Young tore his ACL on June 1st and backup running back Kenneth Dixon tore his meniscus and needs to get it fully repaired.
A few days ago John Urschel, who was competing for the starting center job, unexpectedly retired.
Lions decimated on the defensive line
Today in practice potential starting defensive lineman Cornelius Washington went down with a left leg injury and did not come back to practice. Washington's status is unknown at this time, but his injury is not good for a Detroit Lions team that has already been decimated on the defensive line.
Prior to this starting, defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, as well as backup Armonty Bryant and undrafted rookie Jeremiah Valoga were all on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
This means that the after Washington's injury the team currently only has five healthy starting defensive ends. One of those defensive ends, third-year player Brandon Copeland, is not even playing the position. He has been playing at SAM linebacker, competing to win the starting job. Odds are the Lions will have to add a defensive end to have more depth at the position during training camp.
