Devin Hester supports the NFL’s new kickoff rules
Bears legend Devin Hester talks about the impact the NFL’s new kickoff rule changes have on the return game and special teams.
Sports Seriously
Thursday night marked the start of Week 1 of the NFL preseason. Things kicked off in Baltimore with the Ravens earning a 24-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
This was the first NFL action for the Ravens’ rookies. Unfortunately for sixth-round rookie cornerback Bilhal Kone, it’ll be his only action for the season after a gruesome knee injury.
(Editor’s note: Due to the nature of the injury, we have chosen not to show it here. Those who wish to see the injury may see it here.)
Kone tore a ligament in his left knee late in the first quarter against the Colts. Kone was defending Indianapolis wideout Ashton Dulin near the goal line on third and 10 and fell as Daniel Jones‘ pass went incomplete.
Kone immediately grabbed his leg in pain. He was put in an air cast and taken off the field. Ravens coach John Harbaugh later confirmed he’d be out for the rest of the year.
“[Kone] is going to be out for the season,” he said after the game. “It’s a torn ligament in his knee, unfortunately.”
Harbaugh complimented Kone’s play, especially his effort on that incompletion that forced a Colts field goal.
“That play, [he] made a heck of a play,” Harbaugh said. “And then even seeing him in the locker room just now was really hard. But like I told him, the sun will come up tomorrow… You’ll get this taken care of. You’ll be rehabbing, you’re part of our team, and you’ll be back. So it’s just not on the time that you hope for.”
Kone is the second significant injury in the Ravens’ secondary ahead of the season. Baltimore will be without safety Ar’Darius Washington in 2025 after he tore his Achilles in May.
Ravens CB depth chart
Given the Ravens’ depth at the position, the team wasn’t expecting to rely on Kone much as a rookie. Here’s how things look at the position during the preseason: