Jake Moody Takes Over as Ravens Kicker After Tyler Loop Lands on IR
The Baltimore Ravens have turned to practice-squad kicker Jake Moody after placing Tyler Loop on injured reserve with a right groin injury, the team announced Monday. Moody will handle kicking duties Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking his first game appearance with the Ravens. The move comes after Loop, who had been the team's only kicker throughout training camp, struggled in Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills, missing a 34-yard field goal and sending the opening kickoff out of bounds.
Head coach Jesse Minter said Monday that Loop was "dealing with something small that kind of became a little bit more," but did not specify when the injury worsened. The IR placement means Loop must miss at least four games. He could become eligible to return in Week 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Ravens signed Moody to their practice squad after final roster cuts on Aug. 31, then released him in September before bringing him back later. The 26-year-old veteran now gets his first opportunity to kick for Baltimore in a primetime divisional matchup.
Loop's Struggles and Moody's Opportunity
Loop's second season had already been rocky before the injury. After converting 30 of 34 field goals as a rookie, he made just 13 of 17 attempts through eight games this year, though he remained perfect on extra points (18 of 18). His missed 34-yarder against Buffalo came while the Ravens trailed 13-7, and his kickoff out of bounds gave the Bills possession at their 40-yard line before they scored. Those mistakes compounded a difficult day for a Baltimore team already dealing with significant injuries.
The kicking change is the latest shake-up for a Ravens squad that ranks 26th in PFN's NFL Offense Impact Rankings. With quarterback Lamar Jackson sidelined by a fractured and dislocated thumb that required surgery, the Ravens need stability from their special teams to keep their playoff hopes alive. Jackson told teammates he plans to return this season, but his recovery timeline of six to nine weeks means Baltimore must tread water in the interim. Moody's performance could be critical in close games against the Jaguars and beyond.
Stakes Rise as Ravens Navigate Jackson's Absence
Jackson's injury, suffered against the Bills last Sunday, has put the Ravens in a precarious position. According to ESPN's Ian Rapoport, Jackson encouraged his team to keep their playoff hopes alive until he returns. His IR placement will sideline him until after Baltimore's Week 13 bye, but surgery on his throwing hand will likely keep him out longer. If the typical six-to-nine-week recovery timeline holds, his earliest return would be Week 15 against the Pittsburgh Steelers — a game that could have major playoff implications. Nine weeks would keep him out until Week 18, by which time a return may not make sense.
In the meantime, the Ravens will rely on recently acquired Jacoby Brissett at quarterback and a struggling defense to stay in the playoff race. They face the winless Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10, who could be without starting quarterback Justin Herbert, followed by the Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers — two of the NFL's most inconsistent teams this year — and the 3-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the bye. The Ravens likely need to win three of those games to reach 7-6 and keep their postseason hopes alive. They would then need at least two, if not three, wins over the Steelers (twice), Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals to close the season.
Kicking Carousel Reflects Broader NFL Trend
Moody's promotion is part of a larger trend of teams cycling through kickers as injuries and inconsistency mount. The Ravens had already cycled through multiple kickers this season before settling on Loop, who spent training camp as the only kicker on the roster. Now, with Loop on IR, they turn to Moody, who has spent time on the practice squad and is eager for a chance. His first test comes Thursday night against Jacksonville, where every point matters for a team fighting to stay relevant without its MVP quarterback.
For Loop, the IR stint offers a chance to recover and reset after a difficult start. He remains eligible to return in Week 14, but by then Moody may have cemented his role. For the Ravens, the kicking situation is just one of many challenges as they navigate a season teetering on the edge of contention. With Jackson's return uncertain and the defense underperforming, Baltimore's margin for error is razor-thin. Moody's leg could be the difference between keeping playoff hopes alive and watching them slip away.
As the Ravens prepare for Thursday's game, all eyes will be on Moody — a kicker who has waited for his chance and now faces the pressure of a primetime spotlight. For a team already dealing with injuries to its biggest stars, the kicking game has become an unexpected subplot in a season full of them.
Comments