Baltimore Ravens Rookie Guard Olaivavega Ioane Sidelined With Knee Injury

Rookie Guard Set To Miss Time

Baltimore Ravens rookie guard Olaivavega Ioane is expected to miss time after suffering a knee sprain. The offensive lineman sustained an MCL sprain during his team's defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. He injured his knee during the first quarter of the game and was unable to return.

There is some positive news regarding the situation. The injury is regarded as a short term issue, meaning he will not be out for a very long period. When Ioane went down in the first quarter, Emery Jones Jr. took his place on the field. Jones played at right guard for the remaining three quarters of the contest against Cincinnati.

Strong Start To First NFL Campaign

Ioane entered the league as the number 14 overall selection in this year's draft. He came to Baltimore with high expectations and has performed as one of the top rookies in the entire league this season. The franchise initially picked him to upgrade their right guard position.

However, the team needed him elsewhere due to severe health issues across the roster. Baltimore lost their top three centers to injured reserve early in the year. Ioane helped the squad by stepping in to make three starts at center.

He had just moved back to right guard for Sunday's game against the Bengals. Unfortunately, his return to that position lasted only a short time before the knee injury forced him off the field.

Baltimore Prepares For Sixth Line Combination

The Ravens now hold a 4-3 record on the season as they move into Week 8. Their next fixture is a difficult road test against the Buffalo Bills, who currently stand at 5-1.

Ioane's injury means Baltimore must make another adjustment up front. When they take the field in Buffalo on Sunday, the Ravens will use their sixth different offensive line combination of the season.

It has been a tough start to the year for Baltimore's offensive line unit. Entering Week 8, the roster is down to just two offensive linemen who have managed to start every game this season. Those two durable players are right tackle Roger Rosengarten and left guard John Simpson.