It seems unlikely that quarterback Joe Flacco will play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, especially if starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley (soft tissue injury) is also sidelined. However, Ravens coach John Harbaugh isn't ready to make that announcement. In fact, he won't make an announcement about Thursday's starter at all.
Harbaugh said decisions on who will and won't play Thursday have already been made, but the team won't make announcements about it.
"We're just going to go play the game and do it that way," Harbaugh said.
Flacco, who tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee in December, traditionally only plays one or two series in the first preseason game. The veteran said during the first week of training camp that putting his surgically repaired knee at risk in an early preseason game "probably wouldn't be the smartest thing."
If Flacco doesn't play as is expected, Ryan Mallett would get the start for the Ravens.
