Ronnie Stanley returns to practice after severe ankle injury

Ronnie Stanley is back on the field after a severe, season-ending ankle injury forced him to the sidelines last November. The offensive tackle was removed from the physically unable to perform list on Monday. 

Stanley’s return date was up in the air as training camp got underway. The All-Pro, former first-round draft pick out of Notre Dame now has ample time to prepare for the start of the Ravens’ season. Stanley participated in the individual drills segment of practice before leaving early. He had a second surgery in March to repair a fractured and dislocated ankle that likely required repairing torn ligaments as well. 

Great to have @megatronnie back on the field‼️ pic.twitter.com/kTeisztKMI

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 9, 2021

Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh is pleased with Stanley’s return.

“I think we were hoping for right around now. He’s certainly very much on schedule,” Harbaugh said. “[He’s] been working really hard. If you’d seen him working the last couple of weeks, you’d have been impressed. So, that was good to see.”

In 2019, Stanley allowed zero sacks and only six pressures, the fewest by an offensive tackle in 14 years according to Pro Football Focus. The site named him Pass Blocker of the Year. Prior to last season, Stanley had started at least 12 games a year for Baltimore, including in his 2016 rookie season. 

The injury occurred just two days after Stanley signed a five-year, $98.75 million extension with Baltimore, including $68.57 million guaranteed. The deal made Stanley the second-highest-paid left tackle in the country behind Houston Texans’ Laremy Tunsil.

Stanley rejoins an offensive line that looks very different

The Ravens will have four new faces along their offensive line this season, and there are questions about their health and abilities. 

Baltimore signed left tackle Alejandro Villanueva in May after he had been in rival Pittsburgh since 2014, but he reportedly struggled in his first few days of camp. Villaneuva will be moving to the right side of the line. 

Right guard Kevin Zietler has a sprained foot and has not practiced since early last week. Harbaugh has said he will be back in the coming weeks.

Former Alabama standout Bradley Bozeman is moving from guard to center, and he left practice early on Tuesday as a precaution. 

“It was just a little strain,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t know what it’ll do for him for tomorrow, but it shouldn’t be long-term at all.”

The talent level on this year’s offensive line in Baltimore is immense, they will need to click before the Ravens’ season starts against the Raiders on Sept. 13.

Image courtesy of Will Newton/Getty Images