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AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

0-0Power Rank#20

AI Summary

Baltimore enters 2026 under rookie head coach Jesse Minter, who takes over after John Harbaugh's January dismissal ended an 18-year tenure following an injury-plagued 2025 that closed with a 26-24 finale loss to Pittsburgh. Lamar Jackson, who made just 13 starts last year while battling hamstring, ankle, toe, back and knee issues, has reported to camp healthy and 'super confident,' and the Ravens moved aggressively to fix a defense that cratered late in 2025, signing edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million deal after a Maxx Crosby trade fell through over medical concerns. Oddsmakers like the bounce-back, putting Baltimore among the Super Bowl favorites with a projected win total near 11, but a season-ending-caliber knee injury to center candidate Danny Pinter and lingering uncertainty over DT Nnamdi Madubuike's return from neck surgery are real complications up front.

Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026

Key Storylines

  • Jesse Minter, the Chargers' former defensive coordinator and a onetime Ravens assistant under John Harbaugh, takes over as head coach after Harbaugh's dismissal in January
  • Signed DE Trey Hendrickson to a 4-year, $112M deal in free agency after a trade for Raiders DE Maxx Crosby collapsed over medical concerns; Calais Campbell also rejoined for defensive line depth
  • DT Nnamdi Madubuike, who missed the second half of 2025 after a serious neck injury, had offseason surgery and doctors are optimistic he can play in 2026
  • C Danny Pinter, competing to replace Tyler Linderbaum (who left for the Raiders in free agency), was carted off with an apparent torn patellar tendon during an Aug. 19 joint practice with the Vikings, reopening the center battle among Ethan Pocic and Jovaughn Gwyn
  • Rookie 3rd-round WR Ja'Kobi Lane (USC) has been a camp standout and emerged as the No. 3 receiver behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman

Injury Report

  • Danny Pinter · C

    Out

    Carted off with an apparent torn patellar tendon during the Aug. 19 joint practice against the Vikings while competing to start at center; expected to miss extended time.

  • Nnamdi Madubuike · DT

    Recovering

    Suffered a serious neck injury in Week 2 of 2025 that ended his season; underwent surgery this offseason, with doctors optimistic he can play in 2026.