Stephens (neck) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills.
Stephens was a limited participant in Thursday's practice with a new neck injury before downgrading to a non-participant in Friday's session. The cornerback will end his season one game short, logging 73 tackles (47 solo) and nine passes defensed over 16 games. With fellow cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers (knee) also ruled out, either Keidron Smith or Tre Brown will start at cornerback alongside Jordan Clark for Week 18.
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Jets' Brandon Stephens: Questionable for Week 18
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Stephens (neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
Stephens popped up on Thursday's injury report as a limited practice participant due to a neck issue. He was given the questionable tag for Sunday's regular-season finale despite not practicing Friday, and his status may not be officially known until the Jets announce their list of inactive players approximately 90 minutes before the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Qwan'tez Stiggers (knee) has already been ruled out, so Tre Brown and Keidron Smith could be the Jets' two starting outside cornerbacks if Stephens also doesn't play.
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Jets' Brandon Stephens: Working through neck issue
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Stephens (neck) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
The injury appears to be a new issue for Stephens, given that he was not listed on Wednesday's practice report. He dealt with the same issue in mid-October but was ultimately cleared to play against the Broncos in Week 6, so Friday's practice report should shed light on his chances of playing in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bills. The Jets could be without their top outside corners in Stephens and Qwan'tez Stiggers (knee) in Week 18, which would open the door for Keidron Smith and Tre Brown to take on larger roles in the secondary.
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Jets' Brandon Stephens: Impressive effort in loss
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Stephens recorded eight total tackles (five solo) and one pass defended in Thursday night's 27-14 loss to the Patriots.
The SMU product tied Jamien Sherwood, Quincy Williams and Jarvis Brownlee for the most total tackles on New York's defense during the Week 11 loss. Stephens has played in all 10 of the Jets' games this season, recording 52 total tackles and a team-leading seven passes defended. He's expected to continue making a difference in the secondary as the season progresses.
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Jets' Brandon Stephens: Cleared to play in London
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Stephens (neck) is active for Sunday's game against the Jets in London.
Stephens was added to the Jets' injury report Friday after he was a limited participant in the team's final Week 6 practice due to the neck issue, but it won't prevent him from suiting up Sunday. The 27-year-old defensive back has played all but one of the Jets' defensive snaps through the first five games of the season, totaling 29 tackles and four passes defensed.
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Jets' Brandon Stephens: Questionable due to neck injury
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Stephens (neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Stephens popped up with a neck injury on Friday's injury report, as it limited his practice participation Friday. The Jets' cornerback depth will already be tested with nickel cornerback Michael Carter (concussion) sidelined, and the team would also have a hole to fill at outside cornerback if Stephens is sidelined or limited.
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Jets' Brandon Stephens: In line to join Jets
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Stephens is slated to sign a three-year, $36 million contract with the Jets, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Stephens suited up for all 17 regular-season games with the Ravens in 2024 (17 starts), recording 70 tackles (59 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and 10 pass defenses. He now looks primed to compete for a starting gig at cornerback alongside Sauce Gardner (hamstring) for New York, though the Jets could conceivably still make notable additions to the position.
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Ravens' Brandon Stephens: Logs 70 tackles in 2024
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Stephens played in all 17 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 70 tackles (59 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and 10 pass defenses.
In the four seasons since being selected by the Ravens in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Stephens has logged at least 70 tackles in three campaigns. It's unclear whether Stephens will return to Baltimore for 2025, as he enters the offseason as a restricted free agent and top contributors from the 2022 NFL Draft class like Kyle Hamilton,Tyler Linderbaum and Isaiah Likely are eligible for extensions. Stephens should garner plenty of interest during the offseason from teams looking to upgrade their secondary.
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Ravens' Brandon Stephens: Racks up nine tackles
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Stephens recorded nine tackles (eight solo) and a pass defensed during Sunday's 41-38 overtime win at Cincinnati.
In a game where Joe Burrow only threw nine incompletions on 39 pass attempts, Ravens defensive backs saw plenty of opportunities to make tackles. Stephens established a new season high for himself in that department, and he's actually on pace for a career high in tackles through five games.
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Ravens' Brandon Stephens: Available Sunday
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Stephens (ankle) is active ahead of Saturday's game against the Steelers.
Stephens was able to practice in full Friday after beginning the week with a limited session due to an ankle injury, and it now seems as if he'll be able to play through the issue in Week 18. The 26-year-old cornerback will look to cause problems for a Steelers offense led by Mason Rudolph on Saturday.
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Ravens' Brandon Stephens: Questionable for Week 18
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Stephens (ankle) is considered questionable to play Saturday against the Steelers.
Stephens was able to be a full participant at the Ravens' practice Friday after opening the week limited with an ankle issue, so his questionable designation may be due to the team potentially resting him. With Baltimore locked into the top seed in the AFC, the cornerback could take a seat in the regular-season finale versus Pittsburgh.
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Ravens' Brandon Stephens: Out Week 17
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Stephens (ankle) will not play in Sunday's game versus the Dolphins.
Stephens logged consecutive DNPs to close the week due to an ankle injury. Thus, he was trending in the wrong direction, so it is no surprise that he will be held out Sunday. In his absence, Ronald Darby and Arthur Maulet are candidates to see increased reps at cornerback opposite Marlon Humphrey.
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Ravens' Brandon Stephens: Dealing with ankle injury
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Stephens did not practice Thursday due to an ankle issue, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.
It's not clear how or when the ankle concern popped up, as Stephens wasn't listed on Wednesday's estimated injury report. The third-year cornerback has been a stalwart in Baltimore's secondary this season, playing every defensive snap in 13 of the team's 15 games so far. Kyle Hamilton (knee) and Arthur Maulet (knee) are both dealing with an injury as well, so the Ravens' secondary could be considerably shorthanded Sunday versus Miami.
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Ravens' Brandon Stephens: Nabs second INT
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Stephens had seven tackles (six solo) and a five-yard interception return in Sunday's 31-24 win over the Cardinals.
Stephens picked off Joshua Dobbs at the beginning of the two-minute warning in the second quarter on a pass intended for Michael Wilson. It led to a one-yard rushing touchdown by Gus Edwards six plays later and gave the Ravens a seven-point lead heading into halftime. Stephens doubled his 2023 interception total in Week 8 and is now third on the Ravens defense with 45 tackles this season, trailing only Roquan Smith (82) and Patrick Queen (69). Sunday also marked yet another game in which Stephens played 100 percent of the defensive snaps. He has done so in all but one game this year.
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Ravens' Brandon Stephens: Ruled out for wild-card matchup
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Stephens (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Bengals.
Stephens became ill ahead of the Ravens' Week 18 matchup against the Bengals and was admitted to a hospital in Cincinnati, where he stayed for a few days. The 2021 third-round pick returned to the team Wednesday, but he won't be available for the playoff rematch against the Bengals.
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Ravens' Brandon Stephens: Has soft tissue injury
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Stephens is dealing with a minor soft tissue injury, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.
The nature of Stephens' injury wasn't disclosed beyond that, but it being labeled as "minor" is encouraging. Baltimore's third-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft will try to heal up in time to dress for the Aug. 11 preseason opener against Tennessee.
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Ravens' Brandon Stephens: Expected to start Thursday
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Stephens is expected to start Thursday night against the Dolphins, Ryan Mink of the team's official site reports.
The rookie is expected to start at safety in place of DeShon Elliott (pectoral/biceps), who is expected to miss the remainder of the season. In what has been described as a "group effort" to replace Elliott, Stephens will look to build upon his 32 tackles and pass deflection he has to this point in 2021.
