Ravens WR Sammy Watkins, CB Chris Westry added to reserve/COVID list, will miss game vs. Packers

Ravens wide receiver Sammy Watkins and cornerback Chris Westry were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday and will miss Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, the latest blows to a team reeling from injuries and the coronavirus.

Watkins, who was added to the reserve list Saturday night, ranks fourth on the team in receiving yards (394). He’s been one of the team’s most clutch receivers this season, with crucial late catches in comeback wins over the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. Watkins, who’s played in 10 games this year, was estimated to be a full participant in Friday’s walk-through after a knee injury sidelined him in Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns.

With quarterback Tyler Huntley in line to start Sunday for the ailing Lamar Jackson (sprained ankle), the Ravens’ passing attack had entered the weekend in flux. Now coordinator Greg Roman will have to rely more on rookie wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who’s coming off a career-high seven-catch, 103-yard performance in Cleveland. Miles Boykin, who hasn’t played since Week 10 because of a finger injury, was a full participant in practice Thursday and Friday and could also see snaps as an outside receiver.

Westry, who was ruled out Saturday afternoon, has started two games this season and was expected to pair with Anthony Averett as the team’s top outside cornerbacks Sunday. Starting safety Chuck Clark, who was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, will also be sidelined. The Ravens were already without starting cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters and starting safety DeShon Elliott because of season-ending injuries.

The new absences undercut a Ravens secondary that must contain quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver Davante Adams and a potent Packers passing attack. Along with Averett and starting slot corner Tavon Young, the Ravens will have reserves Jimmy Smith and Kevon Seymour and practice squad call-up Robert Jackson in their cornerback rotation. At safety, they’ll have starter Brandon Stephens; reserves Geno Stone and Anthony Levine Sr.; and new practice squad addition Tony Jefferson, a former starter in Baltimore who was called up Saturday.

Only Averett, Young and Stephens have started games this season for the AFC North-leading Ravens, who have lost two straight games and enter Week 15 ranked 26th in the NFL in pass defense efficiency, according to Football Outsiders. Green Bay, meanwhile, has the league’s second-most efficient passing offense.

On offense, the Ravens promoted three practice squad linemen — tackles Jaryd Jones-Smith and David Sharpe and center Adam Redmond — to help their depth up front. Left guard Ben Powers was already ruled out of Sunday’s game with a foot injury. Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva (knee) and right tackle Tyre Phillips (illness) missed practice Thursday and Friday, and right tackle Patrick Mekari (hand) was limited all week by a hand injury.

The Ravens will also be without special teams coach T.J. Weist, who tested positive for COVID-19 and will not coach against the Packers. Special teams coach Randy Brown will take over for Weist on Sunday and will work alongside special teams coordinator Chris Horton.

Like Clark, reserve center Trystan Colon also remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list. With the NFL having eased its return-to-play protocols this week amid leaguewide outbreaks, some designated players were eligible for activation with negative tests.