Most of the Ravens starters will be on the sideline Thursday, an anticlimactic return to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, where the organization celebrated its second Super Bowl championship in February 2013, as well as a regular-season victory in November 2014.
Players such as quarterback Joe Flacco, wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., rush linebacker Terrell Suggs and cornerback Jimmy Smith have turned their attention to the Sept. 11 regular-season opener against the Buffalo Bills. None of them figure to be in uniform as the Ravens (3-0) close out the preseason against the winless New Orleans Saints.
For other players who are battling for a handful of jobs at the back end of the Ravens' roster, there is plenty at stake. NFL teams have to cut their roster from 75 to 53 by Saturday afternoon, meaning Thursday's game is a final opportunity to make an impression either on the Ravens or on evaluators from other teams who will scour the waiver wire in the days ahead looking for potential fits.
"We have some good choices and some tough choices, and that's a good problem to have," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said this week.
Several members of the Ravens' 11-man draft class, including defensive end Willie Henry, wide receiver Keenan Reynolds and cornerback Maurice Canady, have to secure roster spots. Veterans, such as offensive guard Vladimir Ducasse and linebacker Chris Carter, are hoping to prove they're worthy of making the final 53.
Many of the roster decisions have already been made after a month of training camp practices and three preseason games. Injuries, though, could still significantly impact the roster, and the Ravens still have a few unsettled spots, including along the offensive line, at inside linebacker and in the secondary.
"A lot of decisions have been made. I think that's obvious," Harbaugh said. "And then there are a number of decisions that still have to be made. We talk about those every day. Every second of every day we think about it and try to do the right thing for our team.
Here is a position-by-position look at where the Ravens' roster stands heading into Thursday night:
Quarterbacks
How many they'll keep: 2
Making the cut: Flacco, Ryan Mallett
Missing out: Josh Johnson
Skinny: Harbaugh said after the second preseason game that Mallett and Johnson were battling for the backup job, although all indications remain that Mallett will be Flacco's lone backup. Mallett is the better fit for the Ravens offense and he has the more recent starting experience, too.
Running backs
How many they'll keep: 5
Making the cut: Justin Forsett, Buck Allen, Kenneth Dixon, Terrance West, Kyle Juszczyk (fullback)
Missing out: Stephen Houston, Lorenzo Taliaferro (physically unable to perform list)
Skinny: Keeping five total backs squeezes the Ravens at another position, but would the Ravens walk away from a respected veteran in Forsett, or a 2015 fourth-round pick in Allen? West appears to have his spot locked in. Dixon is sidelined for the next couple of weeks because of a torn MCL in his left knee.
Wide receivers
How many they'll keep: 7
Making the cut: Steve Smith Sr., Kamar Aiken, Mike Wallace, Breshad Perriman, Michael Campanaro, Chris Moore, Jeremy Butler
Missing out: Chris Matthews, Keenan Reynolds
Skinny: Seven wide receivers seems excessive, but Campanaro is the team's best option at punt returner and Butler has been the most consistent pass catcher all summer. Reynolds, the former Navy quarterback, has come on in practice in recent weeks, but he's struggled as a returner and he's been significantly outplayed by the other receivers.
Tight ends
How many they'll keep: 3
Making the cut: Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams, Dennis Pitta
Missing out: Benjamin Watson (injured reserve), Nick Boyle (reserve-suspended list), Darren Waller (reserve-suspended list), Daniel Brown
Skinny: Pitta played in just seven games over the past three seasons and he's missed most of the summer with a fractured finger. With Watson out for the season after tearing an Achilles tendon, the Ravens badly need Pitta to stay healthy and produce. Brown could sneak on the roster if the team doesn't believe Pitta or Williams will be ready for Week 1.
Offensive linemen
How many they'll keep: 8
Making the cut: LT Ronnie Stanley, LG John Urschel, C Jeremy Zuttah, RG Marshal Yanda, RT Rick Wagner, C/G Ryan Jensen, G/T Alex Lewis, OT De'Ondre Wesley
Missing out: T Blaine Clausell, G Vladimir Ducasse, T James Hurst, C Matt Skura
Skinny: In a perfect world, the Ravens would keep nine offensive linemen. However, the versatility of Lewis, who is the top reserve at tackle and guard, and Jensen, who can play center and guard, should allow the team to carry eight. There is a battle for that presumed final spot between Wesley, Ducasse and Hurst.
Defensive linemen
How many they'll keep: 6
Making the cut: Brandon Williams, Timmy Jernigan, Lawrence Guy, Brent Urban, Carl Davis, Willie Henry
Missing out: Bronson Kaufusi (injured reserve), Kapron Lewis-Moore, Michael Pierce
Skinny: Urban, Davis and Henry haven't distinguished themselves this summer, but they are all probably safe given the team's investment in them. Lewis-Moore has had a solid summer, but there may not be room for the team to keep seven defensive linemen. Pierce should land on the practice squad if he's not claimed on waivers.
Outside linebackers
How many they'll keep: 5
Making the cut: Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Albert McClellan, Za'Darius Smith, Matthew Judon
Missing out: Brennen Beyer, Chris Carter, Victor Ochi
Skinny: Harbaugh said Smith's sprained ankle isn't serious, so the Ravens should be able to get by with five outside linebackers. Rookie Kamalei Correa figures to see some time on the outside, too. Carter still has a shot to make the team because of his special teams play. Ochi is a raw yet intriguing pass rusher. The Ravens would do well to sneak him on the practice squad.
Inside linebackers
How many they'll keep: 4
Making the cut: C.J. Mosley, Zachary Orr, Kamalei Correa, Anthony Levine Sr.
Missing out: Arthur Brown, Patrick Onwuasor
Skinny: Keeping only four inside linebackers is risky, but McClellan can move inside in a pinch. If Brown, a 2013 second-round pick, makes the roster, it will be because of special teams. Levine's ability to play multiple positions, and excel on special teams, makes him an asset. Onwuasor is probably headed to the practice squad.
Cornerbacks
How many they'll keep: 6
Making the cut: Jimmy Smith, Shareece Wright, Jerraud Powers, Tavon Young, Will Davis, Maurice Canady
Missing out: Kyle Arrington (injured reserve), Carrington Byndom, Sheldon Price
Skinny: Powers is the favorite to win the nickelback job, although he's struggled this preseason and he's been sidelined lately by an undisclosed injury. Canady's preseason has been marred by injuries. Davis has proven he's healthy and should be on the roster. It might come down to a competition between Price and Canady for one spot.
Safeties
How many they'll keep: 4
Making the cut: Eric Weddle, Lardarius Webb, Kendrick Lewis, Terrence Brooks
Missing out: Matt Elam (injured reserve), Julian Wilson
Skinny: Elam's knee injury cleared up a logjam here, and made for an easier path for Brooks onto the roster. There are some questions about whether Lewis, who has missed a lot of time this preseason, is a lock, but the Ravens view him as a valuable backup. Levine can play safety if the need arises. Wilson should land on the practice squad.
Specialists
How many they'll keep: 3
Making the cut: PK Justin Tucker, P Sam Koch, LS Morgan Cox
Skinny: This will mark the fifth straight year the Ravens will begin the season with a kicking battery of Tucker, Koch and Cox. The group is one of the league's best.
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