On Saturday night, the Detroit Lions (1-1) hit the road to play the Ravens (2-0) in Baltimore, where they may be greeted by wide receiver Breshad Perriman, ready to step on his home field for the first time, and will definitely play against Joe Flacco. The Ravens quarterback will return to play at M&T Bank Stadium for the first time 278 days since tearing his ACL in November and sitting the remainder of the season.
Lions vs. Ravens 2016 live stream: Game time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Joe Flacco returns for the Ravens and Breshad Perriman may join him, while the running back depth chart will start to take shape for the Lions.
Not to overshadow Flacco's return, Perriman could join the captain for the first time after the Ravens' 2015 first-round pick missed his entire rookie season to a torn PCL. Perriman participated in a walk-through workout on Monday and then a full practice on Tuesday, meaning he may get a chance to play as long as he is medically cleared. Coach John Harbaugh confirmed as much when he stated "if he can play, he will."
Flacco and Perriman aren’t the only two players to make a return this summer either, after the Ravens have already welcomed Terrell Suggs, Steve Smith and Elvis Dumervil back over the past two weeks.
The Lions have seen their quarterback, Matthew Stafford, in action already. In the second week of the preseason, he completed eight of his 11 throws for 113 yards, playing into the first series of the second quarter. Though his time was limited, he completed a highlight play, connecting with Marvin Jones down the sideline for 32 yards.
What will be interesting to watch for in this game for Detroit is the running back competition. Ameer Abdullah will start with Theo Riddick to follow, but it’s a matter of who will fill out the final depth chart and who will be released. Stevan Ridley was cut already on Thursday, though most considered him a viable backup option, leaving Zach Zenner, George Winn and Dwayne Washington to battle for the final spots.
Washington has tallied 34 yards and a touchdown on eight carries and also returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown in his first preseason game. Meanwhile, Zenner has 11 carries for 28 yards and Winn has rushed just six times for 4 yards.
With the first round of cuts coming on Tuesday and final 53-man roster deadline just days later, the Lions’ running back splits on Saturday is something to keep an eye on.
How to watch
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Md.
TV: WBAL 11 (Baltimore), WJBK 2 (Detroit)
Announcers: Gerry Sandusky, Stan White, Qadry Ismail (Ravens feed), Matt Shepard, Chris Spielman (Lions feed)
Online: NFL Game Pass
See More:
