Jaire Alexander is inactive for the Ravens at Cleveland after a limited week of practice and a rough Week 1 showing against Buffalo, where he allowed a big gain and drew a costly DPI. Ravens coach John Harbaugh emphasized practice time as a key factor in his early-season form and said they’ll give him opportunities to bounce back. New starter Chidobe Awuzie filled in as the No. 3 corner last week. Baltimore also ruled out Keaton Mitchell, Patrick Ricard, Isaiah Likely, Carson Vinson and David Ojabo, with Ricard and Likely out again. Cleveland will be without two-time All-Pro right tackle Jack Conklin, a notable matchup edge for Baltimore’s pass rush. For fantasy, Alexander’s inactivity could tilt pass-game volume toward the Browns’ receivers, while the Ravens’ depth pieces may reshape snap shares on defense and special teams.

Meanwhile, Bills veteran Keon Coleman produced a notable late-game gain against Baltimore the prior week, highlighting the volatility of Ravens secondary depth and the impact of practice time on coverage. This game sets up a ball-control, multi-RB approach for Baltimore if Mitchell is healthy but sits again, leaving the backfield in flux. The confluence of these inactives and practice narratives creates a week-to-week puzzle for fantasy managers in lineups and DFS lineups alike.

A marquee Week 1 SNF pits Baltimore and Buffalo in a tight, hard-nosed clash, led by two of the league’s best in Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. The matchup leans on aerial big-play and brisk, contested runs, with a playoff-rematch vibe and a likely wire-to-wire tug between offenses. Buffalo’s health is a plus with Coleman ready and Palmer adding long-range spark, while Baltimore counters with a bruising rushing attack and a thinner tight end corps.

Roster notes tilt the page: Isaiah Likely out, Patrick Ricard sidelined, and Keon Coleman back at full strength for Buffalo, which nudges Myles-perimeter targets upward. Betting-wise, expect a slugfest with a narrow margin, though prop lines favor Allen’s air game and a Bills push in late-game moments. The tone is urgency and a championship-window mindset from both sides.

Ravens–Bills Week 1 features significant depth-chart shifts in Baltimore: Ricard and Likely out, paving the way for Lucas Scott and Zaire Mitchell-Paden to handle fullback/TE duties while Charlie Kolar sees a heavier early workload alongside Mark Andrews, who’s bullish on Kolar’s progress. Faalele returns to bolster the line, and Baltimore’s offense aims to exploit gaps with Kolar’s receiving ability as a complement to Andrews. Buffalo counters with Matt Prater stepping in for Tyler Bass, while its secondary is banged up (Hairston IR, White doubtful, Benford limited).

Fantasy angles center on the Ravens’ pass-catching duo around Andrews and Kolar, plus the evolving blocking/receiving mix from Kolar and Likely’s absence. For Buffalo, the kicking game and secondary health temper expectations, while the Ravens’ reshuffled group could yield opportunistic ground gains early, especially if Baltimore uses heavy tight-end packages to blunt Bills’ defensive pressure.

Jaire Alexander is slated to practice next week as Baltimore readies for Week 1, joining a steady group that also includes Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Xavier Guillory, Dayton Wade, Patrick Ricard, and Chidobe Awuzie as they return from injuries. The Ravens head to Buffalo with a healthier, deeper roster and a confident locker room following a productive preseason. The mix of veteran leadership and fresh depth heightens the team’s ceiling for the regular season and fantasy seasons alike.

Facing the Bills on Sept. 7 will test the rebuilt depth, but the mood around the Under Armour campus is upbeat. If the Ravens can stay healthy, the offense should feature Andrews and Likely heavily, while Wade and Guillory offer upside in the WR corps. Ricard’s return boosts the run game and goal-line looks, and Awuzie’s presence anchors a secondary that aims to contain one of the league’s premier offenses.

The Baltimore Ravens are gearing up for NFL Training Camp 2024, focusing on maximizing their 21 personnel package featuring running back Derrick Henry and fullback Patrick Ricard. This dynamic duo has proven to be a formidable force, especially in the red zone, helping the Ravens achieve the highest red-zone touchdown percentage last season. Their unique combination of power and speed makes it challenging for defenses to handle, as Henry's ability to break tackles complements Ricard's blocking skills on outside zone and stretch plays.

As the Ravens prepare for the upcoming season, incorporating Henry and Ricard together in Strong, Weak, or I-formation will be crucial. Coaches are eager to refine their strategies, knowing that with both players on the field, they can effectively exploit opposition defenses, especially when it counts the most in high-pressure situations.