The Baltimore Ravens’ Pro Bowl offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley is forced to end his season prematurely for the second consecutive year. And it’s once again because of ankle surgery.
Stanley confirmed the news via a statement, saying that “at this point in time, my ankle isn’t where it should be” and that having another surgery on his left ankle is “the best decision not only for my health, but also for the team long-term.”
Stanley broke his ankle in Week 6 of the 2020 NFL season and had to have two surgeries before returning to action in 2021. The 27-year-old player started in the season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, but it was clear he wasn’t his usual self. He didn’t make the field since.
The Ravens drafted Ronnie Stanley with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and it didn’t take long before the Notre Dame player established himself as one of the best left tackles in the league. Stanley translated his good performances to a Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro honors in the 2019 season, prompting the Ravens to give him a five-year, $98.75 million extension. This made the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league at the time.
With Stanley sidelined, the Ravens will continue to rely on veteran Alejandro Villanueva at the left tackle position. Villanueva, who has two Pro Bowl appearances with the Pittsburgh Steelers, signed a two-year deal with Baltimore in the offseason.
