The Baltimore Ravens are still waiting to see what their pass rush can look like with Trey Hendrickson back in the lineup. He has missed the past two games with a broken finger, but there is hope that he and rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane can return for Baltimore's Week 6 game against the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, Jesse Minter is encouraged by what he has seen from the players filling the gap.
Rather than letting the absence of a key edge rusher stall the group, Baltimore has seen encouraging contributions from several developing players. Mike Green has been particularly noticeable, while Tavius Robinson, Zion Young and Ethan Burke have also earned praise from their head coach.
Their progress matters because Baltimore needs more than one reliable pass rusher to disrupt opposing quarterbacks consistently. Minter discussed the development Monday, pointing to signs the group is beginning to play closer to its potential.
"I feel like the last couple [of] games [Mike Green] has taken major steps towards playing the way that I feel like he is capable of playing. He would tell you the same thing. He is capable of being a really good player in this league."
Minter believes Green's recent success has boosted his confidence, an important development for a player still working toward the consistency his coach expects. Green recorded a sack against the Atlanta Falcons and also generated pressure late in regulation, helping Baltimore get off the field when it needed a defensive stop.
Minter also highlighted Robinson's impact, crediting him with one of the game's most important plays because his pressure affected Michael Penix Jr. enough that the Falcons quarterback could not continue with the game on the line. Zion Young and Ethan Burke also received recognition, suggesting Baltimore is getting contributions from across the edge-rusher rotation rather than relying on a single player to create disruption.
"Sometimes it takes having a little bit of success and your confidence grows, which he has done the last couple [of] games... I thought Zion [Young] the last couple games has really come on. Ethan Burke played really well last night; he played a good amount of snaps. So, [for] that room to be missing kind of the key cog and the free agent, the big signee [in Trey Hendrickson], to still be able to play the way that we played the last couple games, [I'm] proud of that. I think it just makes it even more exciting when you can see that room getting healthy, see the D-line getting healthier and playing a little bit better, of what the pass rush can look like as we keep moving forward."
Hendrickson's return could give the group another dimension
As Minter acknowledges, Hendrickson remains an important piece of the equation. His head coach described him as a key player whose absence has created an opportunity for others to step up. He also expressed excitement about the defensive front becoming healthier and improving as a unit when he returns. It's hard to disagree.
All of this is encouraging for Baltimore. If Green continues to develop and the other edge rushers sustain their progress, Hendrickson's eventual return will only give the Ravens more options when designing their pressure packages.
Still, the group has more work to do. One strong performance or a handful of timely pressures doesn't establish that the pass rush has solved its problems. Baltimore needs to consistently disrupt different offensive lines and avoid relying on late-game heroics.
For now, Minter sees progress, not a finished product. After all, Atlanta did convert nine of 17 third-down attempts. Still, the Ravens are getting meaningful contributions from players asked to take on more responsibility.
That development could become just as important as getting their injured star back. If the improvement continues, Baltimore may have a deeper pass-rush rotation than it did before Hendrickson's absence.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens' young edge rushers earn praise as Trey Hendrickson nears return