Ravens rookie Bilhal Kone suffers season-ending knee injury in preseason

Baltimore cornerback Bilhal Kone suffers a season-ending knee injury in the preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Ravens rookie Bilhal Kone suffers season-ending knee injury in preseason

In the first quarter of Thursday's preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, Ravens cornerback Bilhal Kone twisted his left knee and was carted off the field. The team later diagnosed a torn ACL and MCL, ending his rookie season before it began.

Kone came to Baltimore as a sixth-round pick from Western Michigan and had shown promise in camp, earning a spot in the rotation for his debut. The Ravens boast a strong cornerback depth chart led by veterans such as Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Jaire Alexander, and Chidobe Awuzie, with rookies Jalyn Armour-Davis, T.J. Tampa, and Robert Longerbeam providing additional options behind them. After the injury, coach John Harbaugh described the locker room as emotional and stressed that the team will support the rookie as he rehabs and looks toward a return.

The setback highlights the unavoidable risks players face in the preseason, especially for rookies trying to break into a crowded position group. Baltimore’s depth at cornerback eases the short-term blow, but it also places added responsibility on the coaching staff to accelerate development for young players.

Kone’s injury could prompt roster and plan adjustments in the coming weeks, yet the Ravens have shown a willingness to lean on youth when needed. The team’s public stance—focusing on recovery and long-term contribution—frames this as a delayed entry rather than a derailment for a player who arrived with the aim of proving himself from Day One.

Highlights

The road back will test a young player and a franchise built on resilience.