Marlon Humphrey’s best game of the season was cut short.
The Ravens defensive back intercepted Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield twice in the second quarter on Monday night. A knee injury that occurred after he collided with rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins late in the first half knocked Humphrey out of the game.
Humphrey’s first interception saved a Bucs touchdown on a ball thrown directly to Humphrey’s face mask in the back of the end zone. That turnover helped set up Baltimore’s go-ahead scoring drive after an ensuing 59-yard pickup from Rashod Bateman. On the following Bucs possession, Humphrey grabbed an under-thrown pass intended for Chris Godwin near midfield for his team-best fourth interception of the season.
“It’s been huge,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh told ESPN sideline reporter Laura Rutledge before the half. “That’s been our two stops. Turnovers are big.”
Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers also had an early injury scare but returned to the field later in the first quarter. Flowers planted and cut then had his right ankle rolled up on. He was wincing in pain his whole way over to the sideline, where he fell to the ground and was checked on by team trainers after a 19-yard pickup.
Tampa Bay, on the other hand, will be without All-Pro receiver Mike Evans the rest of the night.
Evans was a limited participant in practice last week nursing a hamstring injury. He scored the game’s first touchdown then appeared to aggravate his right leg injury. Evans was ruled out for the remainder of the game – a significant loss for the Bucs.
Tampa Bay safety Tykee Smith – another key cog for the NFC South leaders – was ruled out with a concussion after a tackle on Ravens running back Justice Hill.
Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at [email protected], 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.
