5 storylines to watch in the Ravens-Commanders preseason finale

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The Ravens and Commanders will conclude the preseason at M&T Bank Stadium on Friday night.

The game will mean little to fans, because most key players will see the field briefly — if at all.

But it represents the last chance for players to make a case for a roster spot and for new coaches to work out any final wrinkles before games count.

Here are five storylines to watch under the Friday night lights.

Ravens: An answer to the center question

Since Danny Pinter’s season-ending injury, Jovaughn Gwyn has commanded the most reps at center. But Ethan Pocic is still working back from an Achilles injury.

Pocic was given just 17 snaps in the first preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles but upped that to 31 in Minnesota against the Vikings. Meanwhile, Gwyn’s snaps dropped to 19 from 51 the week before. Both players graded similarly, with Gwyn earning the slight edge due to his run blocking.

Against the Commanders, it will be interesting to see how the snaps are split and how each player performs. But, just because one of them is declared the “winner” heading into Week 1 won’t mean the competition is over. The better option for now may not be the better option in the long run.

Commanders: Can the offensive line do ... anything?

In joint practices, it couldn’t. The Commanders couldn’t run the ball. They couldn’t protect the passer. As left tackle Brandon Coleman said, they have “s--t we got to correct.”

The Ravens’ defense shouldn’t look as tough Friday. It’s unlikely any starters will play. Meanwhile, the Commanders will likely play guys competing for starting positions.

The Ravens’ depth pieces will be gunning for roster spots, and thus for the Commanders’ quarterback. They should provide a tough test for those potential starters.

The Commanders are looking to replace starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who is out with a torn triceps, and they need a consistent force at center with Nick Allegretti out with a calf strain. They’ve been letting the center battle play out in house, but with Allegretti out, the other options have struggled.

With how many injuries the Commanders are dealing with, the team needs to have reliable depth in addition to figuring out the starting lineup.

Ravens: Will they keep a fourth running back? Or a third quarterback?

Rasheen Ali has been quiet through his NFL career as he’s dealt with consistent injuries, including during this camp. He hasn’t played in the preseason, but rookie Adam Randall has.

A converted wide receiver, Randall is still getting the hang of the position. The Ravens gave him lots of touches in the first week of the preseason, but he dealt with a minor injury in the second week. If he has a good performance, will the Ravens keep all four?

And does that mean they’ll expose quarterback Joe Fagnano? The Ravens have their top two quarterback spots set in Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. Last year, they went into the season with just two quarterbacks before needing to sign a third. Fagnano had done little in camp, with Skylar Thompson earning most of the reps, but when Thompson got hurt, Fagnano smoothly stepped in and has performed well.

The undrafted rookie has played well in a first-time play-caller’s system. Teams are always looking for a good backup.

Commanders: Can they stop the run?

Run defense is always hard to grade in practice, when hitting is limited. The defender was there, but would he have wrapped up the ball carrier?

Against the Detroit Lions, the answer was no. The Commanders let the Lions run all over them for 169 yards.

Granted, a lot of the starters are hurt. But, if they continue to deal with injuries, how will the Commanders answer when teams try to run them over?

The linebacker position, in particular, is one to watch. The Commanders used their first-round pick on Sonny Styles, who had an up-and-down day in joint practice against Ravens All-Pro running back Derrick Henry. Friday’s game is the last chance for the rookie to adapt to NFL speed before things get real.

Linebackers Ale Kaho and Kain Medrano are also looking to prove they can contribute.

This defense had the potential to be great with the additions of outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, along with defensive end Charles Omenihu and defensive tackle Tim Settle. And, of course, Styles as a high draft pick. But Oweh, Chaisson and Settle are out, along with four other players in the defensive front. That means the guys who play Friday might also play regular-season games.

Both: How do the bubble players fare?

The Ravens’ defensive line room is crowded. Their depth pieces have had lots of opportunities while the stars were out, and they gave a good showing. But, with Travis Jones, John Jenkins and Calais Campbell back and Nnamdi Madubuike potentially returning, they can’t keep everyone. Broderick Washington’s spot is likely solidified, but Rayshaun Benny, C.J. Okoye, David Olajiga and Aeneas Peebles are vying for final spots.

Meanwhile, the Commanders’ tightest room is the wide receivers’. They have eight players — Jaden Bradley, Dyami Brown, Treylon Burks, Van Jefferson, Jacoby Jones, Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey and Nick Nash — fighting for about three spots.

Other Commanders on the roster bubble include safeties Will Harris and Quan Martin (who recently earned a shoutout from head coach Dan Quinn). Quarterback Sam Hartman’s spot is in danger with rookie Athan Kaliakmanis’ preseason performance. Edge Javontae Jean-Baptiste has had a good camp and might make a case for himself with the injuries at his position.

For the Ravens, linebackers Jay Higgins and Dominic DeLuca are fighting for those final spots that often go to special teams contributors. Outside linebackers Adisa Isaac and Ethan Burke have had good preseasons but aren’t certain to make the team. With how some of the other young cornerbacks have performed, 2025 draft picks Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam are teetering on the bubble.