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Ravens, Vikings face off after a week of joint practices
The Baltimore Ravens improved to 2-0 in preseason with a 13-3 win over the Minnesota Vikings, but the focus remains on the unresolved center competition following Danny Pinter's season-ending knee injury. Coach Jesse Minter says Ethan Pocic and Jovaughn Gwyn will split first-team reps this week as the team prepares for its preseason finale and roster cuts.
Ravens face pivotal week at center after Pinter's season-ending injury
The Baltimore Ravens pushed their preseason record to 2-0 with a 13-3 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday night, but the biggest storyline remains the unresolved competition at center. With Danny Pinter out for the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in a joint practice last week, the Ravens are scrambling to find a starter at a critical offensive line spot. Coach Jesse Minter has not named a front-runner, and the team faces a busy week before final roster cuts.
Pinter, who had been the frontrunner during training camp, suffered the knee injury during Wednesday's joint practice with the Vikings in Minnesota. Initial reports from NFL Network indicated a torn patellar tendon, and Minter confirmed Monday that the injury is a season-ender. The loss leaves Baltimore without its presumed starter just weeks before the regular season opener.
The Ravens had already lost three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Pinter was expected to fill that void, and his injury has forced the coaching staff to turn to a pair of less experienced options: Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic. Against the Vikings, both players saw time at center, along with Corey Bullock, but neither has seized the job. Minter has not indicated who holds the edge.
Speaking to reporters, Minter said he expects Pocic, who signed with the team in July while recovering from a torn Achilles, to get first-team work this week. He also stressed that both Pocic and Gwyn will receive opportunities with the starting unit. "I definitely see him at some point in the next few days — week or so, getting a lot of work. Giving both of those guys chances with the first team and letting that shake out," Minter said, as relayed by Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com.
Pocic brings significant experience to the competition. Entering his 10th NFL season, he has started 97 of 114 career games with the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns. Last year with Cleveland, he posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 63.8 overall, ranking 20th out of 40 centers, with a pass-blocking grade of 62.3 and a run-blocking grade of 63.2. However, he is still working back from a torn left Achilles suffered last December and has looked rusty in limited preseason action.
Gwyn, who spent the last three years with the Atlanta Falcons, started the Vikings game and played the first four series. He received positive reviews from the coaching staff after his preseason debut last week, but he has far less experience than Pocic. The Ravens also have Corey Bullock, who saw snaps at center against Minnesota, but he has not been a major factor in the competition.
The center battle is not the only position of concern for Baltimore. ESPN's Jamison Hensley wrote that the starting center job is "the biggest question mark facing Baltimore" and noted that the favorite will likely be the one who starts Friday's preseason finale against the Washington Commanders. The team hosts a joint practice with Washington on Wednesday before that game, and roster cuts to 53 players are due by Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Ravens are also dealing with injuries along the defensive line. Minter has been managing multiple injuries at defensive tackle, a position that is already thin. One player who has stood out is second-year defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles, who had two combined tackles against the Vikings and was credited with four pressures by Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Banner. Peebles, a sixth-round pick last year, has been working with the starting unit and has drawn praise from Minter, who said Peebles "has some playmaking instincts" and is "keeping his head down, working."
In the Vikings game, the Ravens rested most of their starters, giving extended reps to backups and roster hopefuls. Quarterback Tyler Huntley, who took most of the snaps, completed two passes to tight end Josh Cuevas for 40 yards and his other three completions went for 23 yards. Rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane has dominated in preseason, but the offense overall was quiet, finishing with 242 yards.
The win over Minnesota improved Baltimore to 2-0 in preseason, but the focus remains on the decisions ahead. With the regular season less than a month away, the Ravens must settle on a starting center soon. As Minter put it, the next week will be about giving Pocic and Gwyn chances with the first team and letting the competition shake out.
How each outlet told it
Heavy.
Framing: Highlights that the Ravens showed their plan at the center position battle in the Vikings game, focusing on the rotation between Gwyn and Pocic. — Analytical and slightly urgent, emphasizing the need to resolve the position quickly.
Facts Included:
Ravens beat Vikings 13-3 in preseason.
Jovaughn Gwyn started at center and played the first four series against the Vikings.
Ethan Pocic took over at center late in the second quarter.
Pocic is coming back from a torn Achilles and played through most of the fourth quarter until Corey Bullock replaced him.
Gwyn has been the starter since Pinter's injury in training camp.
Pocic has experience as a starter for the Browns and Seahawks.
The center position battle will be determined over the next week plus.
Tyler Huntley dealt with pressure from Minnesota's defense and used his legs a lot.
Rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane has dominated in preseason.
Ravens' offense finished with 242 yards.
The focus should have been on the offensive line, specifically center.
Minter dropped an injury update about 'an ascending player' at a 'very thin' position (in reference to Peebles, but the article does not specify the player).
Framing: Announces a lineup change at center before the Ravens game, focusing on Minter's decision to give Pocic first-team reps. — Confident and forward-looking, suggesting Pocic is the clear choice.
Facts Included:
Minter expects Ethan Pocic to get first-team work at center over the next week.
Pocic is entering his 10th NFL season, having played for Seahawks and Browns.
Pocic has started 97 of 114 games in his career.
Last year with the Browns, Pocic posted a PFF grade of 63.8 overall, ranking 20th out of 40 centers.
Pocic had a pass-blocking grade of 62.3 and run-blocking grade of 63.2.
Pinter suffered a season-ending injury.
Gwyn and Pocic are battling for the job.
Pocic played in the fourth quarter of the first preseason game against the Eagles.
Against the Vikings, Pocic started in the second quarter and played a good portion of the game.
Pocic appears to be in line to start in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Gwyn is more of a backup and one-game replacement.
It's not known if Pocic will play in the preseason finale against the Commanders.
Framing: Focuses on Minter's message to Aeneas Peebles about his roster spot, emphasizing the player's potential and the competition on the defensive line. — Sympathetic and optimistic, viewing Peebles as a potential breakout player.
Facts Included:
Aeneas Peebles is a second-year defensive tackle for the Ravens.
Minter told reporters Peebles 'has some playmaking instincts' and is 'keeping his head down, working'.
Peebles was selected in the sixth round of last year's draft.
Peebles ran with the starting unit against the Vikings.
Peebles registered two combined tackles against the Vikings.
Peebles was credited with four pressures by Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Banner.
Peebles had a 'nice cross-chop to power' move against the Eagles, according to NFL analyst Chris Cooper.
Peebles is 6-foot, 300-pounder and uses his low centre of gravity against the run.
The Ravens have injuries at defensive tackle, with Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones returning.
Calais Campbell is 39-year-old six-time Pro Bowler.
Peebles' competition includes Rayshaun Benny, a seventh-round pick.
Minter is handling multiple injuries at D-tackle spots.
The win over Vikings was 13-3 and on Saturday, August 22.
Framing: Warns about a key position of need after the win, focusing on the unresolved center competition as a major concern. — Concerned and cautious, highlighting the team's precarious situation at center.
Facts Included:
Ravens beat Vikings 13-3, improving to 2-0 in preseason.
The game was on Saturday night.
Baltimore rested starters for the game.
Danny Pinter suffered a torn patellar tendon, likely missing the entire year.
Ethan Pocic, Jovaughn Gwyn, and Corey Bullock all saw time at center against the Vikings.
Pocic has the most experience but is recovering from an Achilles injury and has looked rusty.
Neither Gwyn nor Bullock have gotten many snaps at center.
Tyler Linderbaum signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency.
Minter has not indicated a front-runner.
Jamison Hensley of ESPN wrote: 'Who is Baltimore’s starting center? This is the biggest question mark facing Baltimore.'
Hensley also noted the favorite will likely start Friday's preseason finale.
Ravens have a busy week with joint practice with Commanders on Wednesday and preseason finale Friday.
Framing: States that Pocic and Gwyn will get first-team work at center, highlighting the competition following Pinter's injury. — Informative and matter-of-fact, with a focus on the timeline of events.
Facts Included:
Danny Pinter suffered a knee injury in practice last week.
Reports indicated Pinter tore his patellar tendon.
Minter confirmed on Monday that Pinter's injury is a season-ender.
Ethan Pocic, coming off a torn Achilles, signed with the team in July.
Minter said Pocic will get first-team reps along with Jovaughn Gwyn.
Quote from Minter: 'I definitely see him at some point in the next few days — week or so, getting a lot of work. Giving both of those guys chances with the first team and letting that shake out.'
Framing: Focuses on the joint practices between Ravens and Vikings, not on the game result or the center injury crisis. — Descriptive and neutral, focusing on practice dynamics and quotes from coaches; no alarm or strong emotion.
Facts Included:
Ravens and Vikings held joint practices in Minnesota on a sunny Wednesday afternoon.
Jesse Minter is the new Ravens coach, focused on reviving the defense after John Harbaugh's firing.
Kyler Murray is the Vikings' new quarterback, their fourth season-opening starter in four years.
Kevin O'Connell emphasized the importance of joint practices for player preparation.
Brian Flores' defense blitzed heavily, limiting Lamar Jackson's time to throw.
Danny Pinter injured his right leg during practice and needed a cart; NFL Network reported a torn patellar tendon, Minter confirmed he would miss an extended amount of time.
Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic are in the mix for the starting center spot.
Ethan Pocic is coming back from a torn left Achilles suffered last December; he started 57 games over four years with the Browns.
Jovaughn Gwyn played for the Falcons and got good reviews from the coaching staff in his preseason debut.
Special teams drills were intense but mostly fight-free; Keyon Martin threw a punch at Da'Veawn Armstead, but order was restored.
Minter and O'Connell warned players against unsportsmanlike conduct, referencing fights between the Cowboys and Saints.
Kyle Hamilton commented on the physical nature of practice.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimThe Baltimore Ravens and the Minnesota Vikings held joint practices in Minnesota on a sunny Wednesday afternoon.
ClaimVikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores sent a variety of blitzes at the Ravens' offense during joint practice, limiting Lamar Jackson's time to throw.
ClaimNFL Network reported that Danny Pinter tore his patellar tendon, a diagnosis Minter declined to confirm other than to acknowledge he would miss an extended amount of time.
ClaimJesse Minter said: 'I definitely see him at some point in the next few days — week or so, getting a lot of work. Giving both of those guys chances with the first team and letting that shake out.'