The Ravens demolished the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, but Baltimore did not escape Hollywood without suffering some bad news. The Ravens lost starting center, Matt Skura, who was carted off the field in the first quarter of play. The Ravens later announced on Twitter that Skura was dealt a knee sprain, and would not return. This was encouraging news, as a knee sprain is a less severe injury considering the alternatives. Undrafted rookie, Patrick Mekari finished the game at center, and by all accounts, played well against Aaron Donald and the Rams defensive line.

Despite the original diagnosis, further analysis proved that Skura’s injury is more severe. The exact condition was not released by the Ravens, but according to the NFL Network’s, Mike Garafolo, Skura’s injury requires surgery, and the starting center will miss the rest of the 2019 season. Skura was having a breakout year at the center position. The young interior offensive lineman drastically improved in his second year starting and was second in the AFC in Pro Bowl voting for his position. This injury comes at an extremely inconvenient time for Skura, as he is in the last year of his rookie deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Skura will become a restricted free agent this offseason, and the injury will no doubt hurt his contract prospects.

Skura will be missed on the Ravens offensive line, but Baltimore is confident in Patrick Mekari. The Ravens invested in the undrafted rookie because the team believes he can develop into an impact player. Mekari’s time developing on the sidelines must come to an abrupt end, but the young player will of course revel in his new opportunity. Mekari can prove himself as a strong and consistent offensive lineman. He played very well against the Rams formidable line, and the Ravens will need him to continually produce at a high level throughout the playoff push.

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