The Baltimore Ravens have confirmed that second-year cornerback Tavon Young has suffered a torn ACL and will miss the 2017 season.

Young injured himself during the team’s organized team activities after intercepting a pass. It’s been reported that his knee buckled while getting himself off the ground. Trainers had to help him off the field and it was not long after that the team made the announcement about the injury.

“He bumped into a player. There wasn’t much contact at all,” Head Coach John Harbaugh told reporters after practice.

The 5-foot-9 corner from Temple had a terrific rookie season after being selected in the fourth round. He started 11 of 16 games, recording 53 tackles, eight passes defended and two interceptions.

The loss of Young is not as damaging as in years past as the Ravens addressed the issue this offseason by bringing added depth at corner. The brought in Brandon Carr from the Dallas Cowboys in free agency and added Marlon Humphrey in the first round of the draft.

The problem could be that the Ravens were hopeful to move him inside as a slot corner and really don’t have another option there. Maurice Canady took over for Young, but he only played in four games last season and mostly on special teams. Baltimore also has veteran Ladarius Webb on the roster, but he’s lost a step in recent years.

The Ravens were hopeful to ease Humphrey into action with Young, Carr and Jimmy Smith ahead of him on the depth chart, but they will be forced to put him on the field almost immediately. A lot of Ravens fans wanted any other player from Alabama – O.J. Howard, Jonathan Allen or Reuben Foster – in the first round and if he fails to perform, they will make their voices heard at M&T Bank Stadium.

Many questioned the team’s decision to go heavy on defensive players in the draft, but it turned out to be a smart move. The defense has had its share of injuries during their two-year playoff drought, with the secondary being the weakness. Even with the injury to Young, defensive coordinator Dean Pees has more playmakers in the secondary than ever in Baltimore.

It’s a tough blow for Young and the Ravens as he looked to have a bright future ahead of him. ACL injuries are one of the worst in football, but he can turn to quarterback Joe Flacco for advice as he recovers.

Coming back stronger than ever, GOD got me, thanks for the prayers

— Tavon Young (@TY_Real1) June 1, 2017

Joe Serpico

Joe learned his journalistic ways in the halls of Annenberg and McGonigle en route to becoming Temple Made. He was a Temple News contributor, and the lead reporter for the 2011 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. A die-hard Philadelphia sports fan, Joe has suffered through many years of letdowns by his hometown teams.