Terrance Williams/Associated Press
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters and running back Gus Edwards are out for the season after tests confirmed they suffered torn ACLs during practice Thursday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
That news comes after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garofalo noted that Peters and Edwards suffered knee injuries on back-to-back plays, resulting in practice getting cut short.
Peters, 28, was expected to serve as one of the Ravens’ starting cornerbacks in 2021 across from Marlon Humphrey.
Peters was about to enter his second full season with the Ravens after a trade from the Los Angeles Rams partway through the 2019 campaign. He played 14 games in 2020, recording 52 tackles, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and nine passes defended.
During his six-year NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Rams and Ravens, Peters has been a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro.
His 31 interceptions since entering the league in 2015 as the No. 18 pick by the Chiefs rank first in the league by a margin of nine.
With Peters out for the season, 2011 first-round pick Jimmy Smith will likely find himself in a starting spot, while 2018 fourth-round pick Anthony Averett will take on an increased role.
Smith has started 88 of the 118 games he has appeared in over 10 NFL seasons, recording 14 interceptions.
Edwards, meanwhile, is coming off three straight 700-yard campaigns. He rushed for a career-high 723 yards and six touchdowns last year, adding 129 receiving yards.
Edwards’ injury is just the latest hit to the Ravens backfield. Starter J.K. Dobbins previously suffered a torn ACL, and Justice Hill suffered a season-ending Achilles injury earlier in the week.
Baltimore signed veteran Le’Veon Bell following the Hill injury and responded to Edwards’ injury by adding Devonta Freeman.
The Ravens will open their 2021 regular-season slate Monday night when they face the Las Vegas Raiders on the road.