L.J. Fort suffers knee injury; “does not look good,” according to John Harbaugh

During the Ravens’ 20-3 victory over the Panthers in Week 2 of the preseason, linebacker L.J. Fort left the game in the first half with a knee injury. Head Coach John Harbaugh addressed the matter in his post-game press conference, saying that “it does not look good,” in regards to the early reports he has received. Harbaugh said the veteran linebacker will undergo an MRI on Sunday.

Fort was re-signed by Baltimore after being released this offseason. Fort initially joined the Ravens in the midst of the 2019 season alongside fellow veteran inside linebacker Josh Bynes. The duo helped stabilize the middle of Baltimore’s defense after a rough start to the season for previous starters Patrick Onwuaser and Chris Board.. Fort was extended shortly after joining the team and has been an important piece on both defense and special teams during the past two seasons.

If Fort’s knee injury is indeed season-ending, then the Ravens will be even more reliant on leaps from 2020 first-round pick Patrick Queen and third-round pick Malik Harrison this season. Fort’s injury likely bolsters Chris Board’s spot on the final 53-man roster as the team’s third inside linebacker.

Since arriving in Baltimore, Fort has amassed 88 total tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, three quarterback hits, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries — one of which he returned for a defensive touchdown.