Derek

Wolfe

Wolfe was a key defensive player for the Broncos during the Peyton Manning era, as Wolfe recorded 11 total sacks in his first two years in the league. Wolfe, 32, last played with the Ravens in 2020. He suffered a severe back injury that kept him sidelined for the entire 2021 season. In June, the Ravens reached an injury settlement with Wolfe.

Wolfe had a second surgery on his hip this offseason and had trouble playing through the issue last year, as the team had designated him to return but he was unable to play. There’s still a chance he pops up somewhere else this offseason, but it’ll be hard for him to win a job until he’s healthy. Wolfe has been a solid run-stuffer and should find work if he can return to full health.

Harbaugh didn’t add any further details, only that Wolfe would not be able to return. The Ravens designated Wolfe to return from injured reserve at the end of October, opening a 21-day window for him to be officially activated. It’s possible that he simply won’t be able to make it back before the window closes which would permanently send him to injured reserve. Wolfe did not play in 2021 and will look to rebound in the second year of his three-season deal with Baltimore.

Wolfe, dealing with a back injury since August, was encouragingly available to practice on Tuesday. He’ll have 21 days to be officially activated from injured reserve or miss the rest of the season.

Wolfe hasn’t practiced in weeks. Justin Madubuike and Broderick Washington will instead step into major roles as Wolfe remains sidelined for (at least) the next three games. He’ll return to the starting lineup when healthy.

CB Jimmy Smith, after missing the season’s first couple weeks with an ankle issue, will suit up against Detroit. Smith’s return is a boon for a Baltimore secondary that’s proven more vulnerable than usual. Fantasy managers should be confident in deploying the Ravens defense against Jared Goff and the Lions.

Nose tackle Brandon Williams and outside linebacker Justin Houston were among the notable names from Baltimore’s front seven that missed practice Wednesday. Safety DeShon Elliott and cornerback Tavon Young were also sidelined. That’s four defensive starters sidelined to start the week but at least a few of them should resume practicing by Friday. Luckily for Baltimore, even if they are missing some defensemen for Week 3, they should be able to cobble together a starting unit that can keep Jared Goff and the Lions in check.

Wolfe is sticking around to bookend Calais Campbell despite notching just one sack in 2020. He did remain a force against the run, and was brought off the field in some obvious pass-rushing situations. Wolfe, who turned 31 last month, remains a useful overall player. The Ravens do need some pass-rushing reinforcements after an already underwhelming group watched Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue walk in free agency.

Signed to a one-year, $3 million deal this offseason, Wolfe has 49 tackles, a sack, and six TFLs on a 58% snap share. It’s a step back from Wolfe’s 2019, but the Ravens may look to re-sign him on another team-friendly deal. Wolfe has said he’d “love to stay” in Baltimore.

Rapoport added that DE Calais Campbell (calf) and CB Marcus Peters (calf) are going to be game-time decisions with Campbell more likely to play. Campbell leads the Ravens with four sacks on the year so getting him back would be a nice boost to their defense. However, they shouldn’t need too much help to take advantage of Gardner Minshew and the Jaguars this week. Their defense remains one of the two or three best fantasy options available.