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The Baltimore Ravens got bad news Wednesday on the injury front. Just three days after losing Dennis Pitta to a season-ending hip dislocation, Baltimore will now be without starting left tackle Eugene Monroe for about a month following a knee procedure.
Eugene Monroe is having knee surgery and will be out "some number of weeks" in John Harbaugh's words. #Ravens
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) September 24, 2014
Asked where that leaves the #Ravens at left tackle, John Harbaugh said James Hurst is next up on the depth chart.
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) September 24, 2014
Upshaw on James Hurst: "He's been looking good competing against guys like [Dumervil and Suggs] since camp." #Ravens
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) September 24, 2014
The Ravens will now have to rely on James Hurst, a rookie undrafted free agent out of North Carolina to protect the blindside of Joe Flacco for the next month, or so.
After a solid senior season, Hurst entered his final collegiate game being touted as a possible first-round pick in this year's draft. But in the Belk Bowl against Cincinnati, Hurst broke his leg, effectively killing his draft stock before the offseason even began.
He did manage to earn a roster spot with Baltimore after a solid training camp and good showing in the preseason. Still, everyone facing the Ravens over the next month is going to look to put their best pass-rusher on Hurst.
The Bengals don't face the Ravens again for five weeks, so Carlos Dunlap may not get a chance to test the rookie.
Darn.