Ravens lose Dobbins, win NFL-best 20th in a row in preseason

Aug 28, 2021, 6:06 AM | Updated: 7:02 pm

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — J.K. Dobbins left with a knee injury, Lamar Jackson made his 2021 preseason debut and the Tyler Huntley-led Baltimore Ravens routed Washington 37-3 Saturday to win their NFL-best 20th consecutive exhibition game.

Dobbins going down early with a left knee injury is the biggest lingering effect for Baltimore with the regular season on the horizon. After catching a screen pass from Jackson, the second-year running back went down awkwardly midway through the first quarter on his third touch of the game. He was attended to on the field before being carted off the sideline and ruled out.

Jackson played only one series after sitting out Baltimore’s first two preseason games. The 2019 MVP was 3 of 4 for 29 yards and was sacked twice on a drive that ended with a missed field goal.

While the Ravens awaited word on Dobbins, who was again expected to split carries with Gus Edwards in a run-heavy offense, Huntley tore through Washington’s reserves by going 24 of 33 with four touchdown passes and a rushing score. Huntley is the second-string quarterback behind Jackson for now with Trace McSorley unavailable because of back problems.

Huntley’s 285 passing yards and TD throws to Eric Tomlinson, Binjimen Victor, James Proche II and Tylan Wallace helped Baltimore pass Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers for the longest preseason winning streak. Green Bay’s streak ended with a loss in 1963 to a team of college all-stars and totaled 23 games through that year if only counting NFL opponents — a mark the Ravens would need to go undefeated in the 2022 preseason to match.

But Dobbins’ status was more front of mind to coach John Harbaugh and his team. The Ohio State product had just seven carries for 8 yards through two preseason games and rushed for 15 more at Washington before getting injured.

Roughly 90 minutes after Dobbins left the field, agent Zac Hiller tweeted: “All I know is @Jkdobbins22 is one of the toughest guys out there. No matter what it is this is only year 2 of 20.”

Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, an All-Pro in 2019, also saw his first game action since injuring his left ankle Nov. 1 and missing the remainder of last season. The Ravens lost Victor and Deon Cain in the second half when each receiver was evaluated for a concussion.

WASHINGTON RESTS STARTERS

Presumptive starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and backup Taylor Heinicke got the night off for Washington, along with every projected starter. That meant Kyle Allen getting the nod at QB, and he completed 10 of 22 passes for 100 yards before giving way to Steven Montez after halftime.

Reserve cornerback Torry McTyer, on the bubble for a roster spot, left in the first half with a concussion.

KICKING AND SCREAMING

Baltimore rested kicker Justin Tucker and punter Sam Koch and handed those duties to rookie Jake Verity, who was wide left from 40 yards, connected from 25 and had an extra point blocked. Verity made his first three field goal attempts this preseason, including a 53-yarder, and could draw interest around the league.

That could include Washington, now that Dustin Hopkins is 4 of 7 on field goals this preseason. He was good from 48 yards and had a 55-yard attempt deflected before falling well short of the goal posts.

RAVENS TRADES

Baltimore was down to 78 players on the roster after completing another trade Saturday, sending veteran offensive lineman Greg Mancz to Miami for an undisclosed exchange of draft picks. The Ravens earlier in the week traded rookie cornerback Shaun Wade to New England for a 2022 seventh-rounder and 2023 fifth-rounder.

UP NEXT

Ravens: begin the regular season at the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, Sept. 13.

Washington: host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 12.

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