It’s one thing to go in and pass for 567 yards and two scores versus two subpar defenses and another to put up similar numbers versus an elite defense. But it appears Mason Rudolph won’t have that opportunity when the Pittsburgh Steelers head to Baltimore on Saturday to take on the Ravens.
It’s too early for Ravens head coach John Harbaugh to say definitively who will be playing in the 2023 season finale. But they’ve clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed, and Harbaugh could easily rest his starters.
“I have not made any decisions on personnel yet,” Harbaugh said in his press conference on Monday. “We’ve got to kind of work through the injury part of it first. That’ll take us probaly 24 to 48 hours to get a real handle on that, and then we’ll make those decisions. We’re not going to keep it a secret. We’ll let you know what we’re going to do once we start practicing.”
Even if starters are rotated to stay fresh, Rudolph won’t be facing the typical lineup that’s earned the Ravens a ninth-ranked pass defense. Baltimore has surrendered the league’s fewest passing touchdowns (17) this season while boasting a pass rush with the most sacks with 57.
In a sport rife with injury, you’re only as good as your depth. And the Ravens are pretty darn good, so whether they play their reserves or not, Mason Rudolph will face his toughest test on Saturday.
