The Baltimore Ravens could finally have their Pro Bowl left tackle, Ronnie Stanley, back on the field this week. Stanley, who missed most of the past two seasons with an ankle injury, recently returned to practice as a full participant and might be available for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Stanley said he is “very close” to returning to action and might be “very possibly” on the field as soon as this week.
“I want to be out there,” Stanley said. “I want to be out there as soon as I can. I’m itching to get out there with my teammates. I’m really close. I’m really close.”
Stanley’s return would be great news for the Ravens, considering their struggles in the left tackle position in 2022. The starter Ja’Wuan James tore his Achilles in Week 1, while his replacement, Patrick Mekari, suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 3. This left Baltimore relying on rookie Daniel Faalele, who has right tackle as his natural position.
Drafted sixth overall by the Ravens in 2016, Ronnie Stanley has been one of the best LTs in the game throughout his first four years in the league. This led Baltimore to give him a $112.8 million extension during the 2020 offseason and make him the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman. However, Stanley was rarely on the field since then, as back-to-back ankle injuries limited him to just seven games in the past two years.
