Projecting the Ravens depth chart for divisional round matchup vs. Texans

We’re a little over five away from the Ravens (13-4) and Texans (11-7) kicking off the AFC divisional round of the playoffs on ESPN.

Houston advanced to the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the fifth time in franchise history with a 45-14 win over the Browns in Super Wild Card Weekend.

The playoff win earned the Texans a rematch against the Ravens, and they’ll return to M&T Bank Stadium hoping to avenge a 25-9 loss in Week 1.

Baltimore has ruled out Marlon Humphrey for the contest, while Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews won’t be active after being listed as questionable.

With Humphrey out, Brandon Stephens and Ronald Darby are the likely starting cornerbacks against C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins and the Texans’ dynamic passing attack. Darby has made seven starts this season, as Humphrey will miss his eighth game.

Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney returned from an illness that kept him out of practice Wednesday and told reporters he’ll play. Wide receiver Zay Flowers (calf) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle) also both returned to full practice and said they’ll suit up.

With kickoff fast approaching, here’s a projected two-deep depth chart for Baltimore.

 

QB

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) takes to the field before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Starter–Lamar Jackson
2nd–Tyler Huntley
3rd–Josh Johnson
Inactive–Malik Cunningham

RB

Dec 24, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) rushes during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–Gus Edwards
2nd–Dalvin Cook
3rd–Justice Hill

Baltimore’s current backs — Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill — have not created big plays, combining to average 4 yards per carry over the past seven games.

Cook is fresh and the Ravens signed him for a reason.

WR

Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) reacts against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–Odell Beckham Jr.
Starter–Rashod Bateman
Devin Duvernay

Beckham shines on the biggest stage, and he’ll start desoite being on a pitch count.

WR

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) reacts as he takes the field prior to an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 in Baltimore. (Michael Owens via AP)

Starter–Zay Flowers
2nd–Nelson Agholor
Devin Duvernay

Flowers will make his playoff debut against Derek Stingley Jr.

TE

Dec 31, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) runs following his catch for a second quarter touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–Isaiah Likely
2nd–Charlie Kolar

With Mark Andrews not activated, Likely will get an oppotunity to continue his hot streak at the tight end position.

Likely hauled in both of his targets for 31 yards and a touchdown in the Week 18 loss to the Steelers. Likely continued his recent success with a 27-yard catch in the second quarter for his fifth touchdown over his last five contests, and he’s has generated 17 receptions off 20 targets with 282 yards and five scores since Andrews went out.

FB

Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard (42) runs after a catch in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Ricard

LT

Oct 22, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) blocks Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) as quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to throw during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Co-starter–Ronnie Stanley
Co-starter–Patrick Mekari
2nd–Daniel Faalele

LG

Dec 31, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens guard John Simpson (76) reacts after running back Gus Edwards (35) touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–John Simpson
2nd–Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu

C

(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Starter–Tyler Linderbaum
Inactive–Sam Mustipher
2nd–Patrick Mekari

RG

Nov 26, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws as guard Kevin Zeitler (70) provides coverage against Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–Kevin Zeitler
2nd–Ben Cleveland

RT

Jan 6, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) rushes past Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Morgan Moses (78) during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–Morgan Moses
2nd–Patrick Mekari
3rd–Daniel Faalele

DT

Jan 6, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Connor Heyward (83) dicvexs as Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92) defends during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–Justin Madubuike
2nd–Travis Jones
3rd–Broderick Washington

NT

Jan 6, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce (58) blocked by Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Isaac Seumalo (73) during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–Michael Pierce
2nd–Travis Jones

DE

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 10: Jadeveon Clowney #24 of the Baltimore Ravens takes the field prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)

Starter–Jadeveon Clowney
2nd–Broderick Washington
3rd–Brent Urban

OLB

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 22: Kyle Van Noy #50 of the Baltimore Ravens defends during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Starter–Kyle Van Noy
2nd–Malik Harrison
Special teams –Jeremiah Moon

MLB

Nov 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) celebrates with linebacker Roquan Smith (0) after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–Roquan Smith
2nd–Malik Harrison

MLB

Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen (6) runs with the ball after intercepting a pass against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–Patrick Queen
2nd–Del’Shawn Phillips
3rd–Trenton Simpson

OLB

Nov 5, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) celebrates after making a defensive play against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–Odafe Oweh
2nd–Tavius Robinson

CB

Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) intercepts a pass intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) in the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–Brandon Stephens
Slot–Arthur Maulet
2nd–Rock Ya-Sin

CB

Sep 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Ronald Darby (28) tackles Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary (26) during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–Ronald Darby
2nd–Rock Ya-Sin
3rd-Arthur Maulet

Ronald Darby will start at cornerback opposite Brandon Stephens with Marlon Humphrey ruled out.

S

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after his interception during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Starter–Kyle Hamilton
2nd–Geno Stone
3rd–Ar’Darius Washington

FS

Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (53), safety Marcus Williams (32), and cornerback Daryl Worley (41) celebrate in the end zone after Williams intercepted a pass against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Starter–Marcus Williams
2nd–Geno Stone