NFL Rumors: Ravens All-Pro Left Tackle Could Return in Week 4

The Baltimore Ravens could finally have one of their premier players return to the field in Week 4's massive AFC showdown with the Buffalo Bills. Left Tackle Ronnie Stanley shared during his media availability Thursday that he was close to ready after fully participating in consecutive practices:

Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley said he’s “really close” to returning Sunday pic.twitter.com/BNVcio0YwF
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 29, 2022

Stanley has missed 29 of a possible 36 games since 2020 with a series of ankle injuries and surgeries. When he was last healthy in 2019, he notched his first All-Pro and helped the Ravens lead the league in scoring and rushing in a dominant 14-2 season. Should he finally make his long-awaited return at the peak of his powers, he could provide a boost to a Ravens offense already scoring a league-best 33.0 points per game under AFC Offensive Player of the Month Lamar Jackson.

Stanley joined the Ravens as their sixth overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft and quickly established himself as a reliable, solid starter on the blindside. The Ravens rewarded his consistency with a massive five-year, $98.75 million extension during the 2020 regular season. Things quickly unravelled after that. Stanley missed the final 10 games of that season with an ankle fracture, and then the final 16 of 2021 after aggravating the same injury. Hopefully, the lost time is behind Stanley, and he can finally return to the dominant play that made him one of the most promising offensive linemen in the league.