On Thursday, the Baltimore Ravens placed defensive tackle Taven Brian and running back Justice Hill on injured reserve ahead of their matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Both players will miss at least four matches. The Packers are their first opponent in Week 17.

Hill was forced to miss the Ravens last two games due to a toe problem. When he returned to practice this past week, Hill fell after injuring his neck. Hill did not take part in the Tuesday or Wednesday session, and his rapid transfer to IR is not good for his future. The Ravens know that neck injuries can be unpredictable.

Keaton Mitchell’s increased snap count was a result of Hill’s absence. It was his highest snap count this season. Mitchell only had 11 touches in both games but will be playing a larger role now that Hill is out for an extended period.

Bryan hurt his ankle during Baltimore’s win over the Jets in Week 12. John Harbaugh, the head coach of Baltimore’s football team, said that Bryan was suffering from a “short term IR injury” lasting three to four weeks.

After the bye week, Ravens chose Bryan over rookie Aeneas Peebles because they preferred his size and ability to stop runs compared to Peebles athleticism and pass rushing skills. It was a controversial move at the time, given Baltimore’s weak pass rush. However, the new pass rush strategy and the move have worked. The defense has slowed down opposing runningbacks and used a variety of blitzes to create pressure.

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