BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens open the 2026 regular season at the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 13 (1 p.m. ET, CBS) at Lucas Oil Stadium. But first, they play one more preseason game Friday against the Washington Commanders (6 p.m. ET, NFL Network) and then must cut their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Who will make the team? Which positions have tough decisions on deck? And where might the lineup be deepest and thinnest this season?
The most high-profile decision is whether Baltimore will place Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike on injured reserve to start the season. Coming back from neck surgery, Madubuike has yet to participate in team drills this summer, which means time is running out for him to be ready for Week 1. The Ravens also have to figure out how many players they can carry at cornerback, which is their deepest position, and at inside linebacker, which is their thinnest.
Here is our projection for the 53-man roster for the Ravens.
Quarterbacks (2)
The Ravens re-signed Huntley this offseason to be Jackson's primary backup for a fifth season. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano looks like he has earned a spot on the practice squad after two impressive outings in the preseason.
Running backs (4)
Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali, Adam Randall
There are some question marks on the depth chart after Henry and Hill. After a solid training camp, Ali has missed a chunk of time due to an undisclosed injury, which could lead him to start the season on injured reserve. Randall, who was owner Steve Bisciotti's hand-picked selection in the fifth round this year, is on the bubble but he could land one of the last spots available with his special teams play.
Wide receivers (6)
Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Ja'Kobi Lane, Elijah Sarratt, Devontez Walker, LaJohntay Wester
Bateman could face a suspension under the personal conduct policy after being arrested on family violence charges, which would open up a roster spot. Flowers and Lane have been the Ravens' top receivers in training camp. Sarratt and Walker, a pair of fourth-round picks, are considered safe. Wester has secured the final receiver spot because he's the top punt returner and has received increased reps on offense this summer.
Tight ends (4)
Mark Andrews, Durham Smythe, Matthew Hibner, Josh Cuevas
Andrews is the Ravens' only returning tight end, but Smythe is the most familiar with new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's system after playing for him in Chicago last season. Hibner is the favorite to become Baltimore's No. 3 tight end over Cuevas after a strong debut in the preseason opener.
Offensive linemen (9)
Ronnie Stanley, John Simpson, Ethan Pocic, Olaivavega Ioane, Roger Rosengarten, Andrew Vorhees, Jovaughn Gwyn, Emery Jones Jr., Carson Vinson
There was a shakeup on the offensive line last week, when first-team center Danny Pinter injured his right leg at a joint practice in Minnesota. Pinter is out for an extended period, which opens up the competition at center. Pocic is the favorite to take the job because of his experience, but he has to prove he is fully recovered from an Achilles injury that he suffered eight months ago. Vorhees, a former starting guard, improved his chances of making the team by taking a $2.2 million paycut.
Defensive linemen (5)
Travis Jones, Calais Campbell, John Jenkins, Broderick Washington Jr., Aeneas Peebles
One of the biggest questions at the start of training camp - Madubuike's status for Week 1 - still has not been answered. Along with Jones and Campbell, the other defensive lineman who is guaranteed a spot is Washington, who is guaranteed $2 million after taking a $2 million paycut. If the Ravens want to free up another roster spot, they could cut Jenkins and sign him to the practice squad, where he could be elevated for the first couple weeks of the season. Rayshaun Benny and CJ Okoye are on the bubble.
Outside linebackers (5)
Trey Hendrickson, Tavius Robinson, Mike Green, Zion Young, Adisa Isaac
The Ravens have a good blend of youth and experience with their top four outside linebackers in Hendrickson, Robinson, Green and Young. Isaac, a 2024 third-round pick who has struggled with injuries, has to show he can make an impact on special teams in order to make the 53-man roster. Undrafted rookie Ethan Burke should land on the practice squad after making plays in the preseason.
Inside linebackers (4)
Roquan Smith, Teddye Buchanan, Trenton Simpson, Jay Higgins IV
Buchanan was activated off the physically unable to perform list after tearing an ACL in December, but it's unknown whether he can be the top weakside linebacker at the start of the season. Given the Ravens' questionable depth at this position, it wouldn't be a surprise if Baltimore added an experienced inside linebacker after other teams make their major cuts.
Cornerbacks (7)
Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey, Chidobe Awuzie, T.J. Tampa, Chandler Rivers, Keyon Martin, Bilhal Kone
The big question here: How many cornerbacks can the Ravens keep? There are five who are locks to make the team: Wiggins, Humphrey, Awuzie, Tampa and Rivers. The Ravens likely have to make room for Martin and Kone because it's difficult to think two talented young cornerbacks will pass through waivers and land on the practice squad. This puts Robert Longerbeam, a sixth-round pick from a year ago, squarely on the bubble.
Safeties (4)
Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, Jaylinn Hawkins, Keondre Jackson
The Ravens essentially start three safeties in Hamilton, Starks and Hawkins. Jackson has earned a spot with splash plays on defense in the spring and summer. Baltimore can free up a roster spot by moving veteran backup K'Von Wallace to the practice squad for the first couple weeks of the season because he doesn't have to clear waivers.
Special teams (3)
Tyler Loop (K), Ryan Eckley (P), Nick Moore (LS)
The Ravens put a lot of faith in Loop after not bringing in competition in training camp after his 44-yard missed field goal in the season finale ended Baltimore's season. Eckley has shown a strong leg in camp after being the first punter drafted this year. The Ravens consider Moore to be the top long-snapper in the game.