Nate Wiggins: Ravens’ rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins ruled out of pivotal showdown with rival Browns due to nagging shoulder injury and lingering illness

Nate Wiggins: The Baltimore Ravens have officially ruled first-round pick Nate Wiggins unavailable for Sunday’s high-stakes AFC North clash against the Cleveland Browns. Wiggins, expected to help fill the void left by fellow corner Marlon Humphrey’s doubtful designation with a banged-up knee, will be sidelined as his ailments persist. His absence leaves Baltimore’s already beleaguered defensive backfield even more threadbare, with the Ravens’ passing defense ranked dead last while allowing a mammoth 287 yards per game through the air.

Wiggins was originally deemed questionable due to the shoulder issue and malady but was downgraded after opting not to travel with the squad to Cleveland. As a result, the Ravens will turn to Jalyn Armour-Davis, activated off injured reserve, and Brandon Stephens to man the corner spots. Armour-Davis, sidelined the past month with a hamstring concern, aims for a breakout performance against a Browns team trotting out a new field general in Jameis Winston. Winston takes over under center for the injured Deshaun Watson, lost for the year with a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained last week.

Additionally, Baltimore has promoted practice squadder Bump Cooper Jr. to bolster depth in the defensive backfield. The Ravens will demand extra effort from everyone back there in trying to corral Cleveland’s passing attack, energized no doubt by Winston’s first start despite their league-worst ranking.

With Humphrey absent from practice all week and Wiggins now ruled out, the Ravens face an uphill battle to stretch their winning streak to six games. Baltimore’s defense, backed by star quarterback Lamar Jackson and a potent offense, must stifle the Browns in spite of further personnel shortages in the secondary.