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Ravens rule out Jaylinn Hawkins with knee injury ahead of Bengals
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- Ravens rule out Jaylinn Hawkins with knee injury ahead of Bengals
The Ravens will face Cincinnati's passing attack without safety Jaylinn Hawkins, who has been ruled out for Sunday's game with a knee injury.
Coach Jesse Minter indicated Friday that the injury is not expected to be a long-term issue but did not provide a specific return timetable, according to Brian Wacker. Hawkins has appeared in all six games this season, making three starts and recording 30 tackles, including 17 solo stops. He matched his season high with eight tackles in Sunday's 13-10 loss at Cleveland.
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His absence requires another adjustment for a secondary preparing to defend Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Cincinnati arrives after its bye, while Baltimore tries to recover from its first division loss.
Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks remain central to the Ravens' safety options. How Baltimore replaces Hawkins' snaps could also influence Hamilton's deployment, given his responsibilities near the line of scrimmage and in coverage.
Hamilton has played 33% of his snaps in the slot, 33% at linebacker and 20% at safety, according to Next Gen Stats figures cited by Cincinnati's official scouting report. That versatility gives Baltimore flexibility, but replacing Hawkins still requires balancing its coverage and run-defense assignments.
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The Ravens also learned Friday that outside linebacker Tavius Robinson will miss the remainder of the season with a pectoral injury.
Hawkins' outlook appears less severe, but his immediate absence leaves Baltimore replacing contributors at two levels of its defense against a rested division rival.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens rule out Jaylinn Hawkins with knee injury ahead of Bengals
