Ravens expect starting corners to return next week

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The Ravens have escaped potential disaster after a week that sorely challenged their cornerback depth.

Starting cornerback Nate Wiggins was carted off the field Tuesday, leaving the defense without the guy who often guards opponents’ best receivers. The next day, Marlon Humphrey, the veteran presence and a four-time Pro Bowler, left practice early.

Following the final practice ahead of the team’s first preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, head coach Jesse Minter said he received good reports on both cornerbacks.

“Both are trending very well to potentially be back next week, both just dealing with a couple small things,” Minter said.

Their absence has given other players a chance to take more reps. Third-year cornerback T.J. Tampa, who has had a strong camp, got reps against the team’s top wide receivers and made a play Thursday on rookie wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, who has been this training camp’s star.

Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said Tampa’s camp has been “tremendous,” and he also mentioned veteran Chidobe Awuzie and second-year player Bilhal Kone, who lost his rookie year to injury.

Awuzie joined the team last season and was one of the most consistent players for the Ravens secondary when he was healthy. He finished with the eighth-best coverage grade by PFF among 114 cornerbacks.

The Ravens also drafted Chandler Rivers in the fifth round. Keyon Martin, who made last year’s roster as an undrafted rookie, has had a strong camp. Amani Oruwariye and Marquise Robinson are also players with Ravens experience.

“There are a bunch of guys I think that could step in if needed,” Weaver said. “But, yes, we would love to have those guys out there, man, again, thoughts and prayers that they get back as fast as they can.”