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Three hottest seats on the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Three hottest seats on the Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens made the playoffs in 2022, but it was a quick exit without QB Lamar Jackson, whose future in Baltimore is in doubt. Injuries crippled the team again in 2022, leading the team to fire trainer Steve Saunders. 

In 2021, 25 Ravens landed on injured reserve. Last season, several key players missed significant time, including two on the hottest seats for 2023.

1. Running back J.K. Dobbins

Dobbins played in only eight games last season after missing all of 2021 with a torn ACL. The Ohio State product has shown flashes of greatness, but as we all know, part of ability is availability. He must stay healthy.

The 24-year-old finished 2022 with 520 yards and two touchdowns. From Weeks 14 to 17, he led the league in rushing yards (397) and yards per carry (7.0).

There is so much concern surrounding Dobbins' injury history that some believe the Ravens will select a running back high in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Dobbins is heading into the final year of his rookie contract, making 2023 all the more important for him.

2. WR Rashod Bateman

Bateman is another player who has struggled to stay on the field. The 23-year-old played in just seven games last season after missing five in 2021. He finished 2022 with just 15 catches for 285 yards and two touchdowns.

The 2021 first-round pick was a hot topic recently. Commenting on the team's lack of production from the receivers it has drafted, GM Eric DeCosta said: "If I had an answer, that would probably mean I would have some better receivers."

On Twitter, Bateman responded with "how bout you play to your player's strength and stop pointing the finger at us." (He later apologized on Twitter.)

Bateman may be upset with the doubters, but he hasn't given them a reason to think otherwise. 

3. Head coach John Harbaugh

This might be a surprise hot seat, but the Ravens have just two postseason wins in the past decade, both in the wild-card round. Harbaugh has a 147-95 regular-season record and an 11-9 postseason record, with four of those wins during the 2012 Super Bowl season.

It would probably take a losing season for owner Steve Bisciotti to move on from one of the league's top coaches. 

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