Injury Impact and Return to Form: Ronnie Stanley's Journey
Throughout the past few years, Ronnie Stanley, the Baltimore Ravens’ standout left tackle, has battled through a gamut of physical setbacks. The rollercoaster of injuries has had significant repercussions on his career, yet recent developments indicate a hopeful resurgence.
Stanley found himself sidelined by myriad injuries over the previous four seasons, each year presenting a new challenge in his quest to reclaim his form. The 2020 season saw Stanley limited to just six games, followed by a disheartening appearance in only one game in 2021. The 2022 season showed some improvement with the tackle participating in 11 games, and last season he made a commendable return, competing in 13 contests.
Reflecting on his ebb and flow of health, Stanley shared, "I guess being in that state when I was younger, it wasn't as savory as a moment or savory as a time, just knowing that, 'OK, your career could have been over after one play' and not knowing if I was ever going to feel like that again physically or athletically."
Despite the adversity, 2023 marked a pivotal year for Stanley, as he earned a much-deserved selection to the Pro Bowl. This honor served not only as a testament to his skill but also his resilience and determination to overcome the trials posed by his injuries.
To further aid his comeback, Stanley undertook a significant reduction in his base salary from $11 million to $3 million. This contract restructuring also included an adjustment that now sets him to become a free agent a year earlier, with 2025 designated as a void year. Such decisions reflect a commitment both from the player and the organization towards his long-term success and continuity with the team.
"To truly feel like that and be out there and just notice myself getting better every day and feeling more like my old self every day, it definitely makes me happy," Stanley disclosed, indicating the deep personal fulfillment his return to form has brought him.
Offseason training and Organised Team Activities (OTAs) have been pivotal in Stanley's rehabilitation process. The structured regimen allowed him to fortify his physical conditioning and renew his confidence on the field. However, he emphasized that the transformation wasn't instantaneous.
"It's more of a gradual thing. I think in the offseason, I definitely felt that, where it was like, 'Oh, yeah, I feel really good athletically. I feel like I'm doing these drills on the field really well. I feel like I'm making sharp cuts, being able to get low and be flexible.'" Stanley explained. "But it’s all different when you have to translate it to football. Not until I came back here, really through OTAs and just getting back into football stuff, is really when I started to feel more confident about all of that training and that rolling over to actual production."
Stanley's optimism is buoyed not just by physical recovery but by his ability to perform to his known standards. The arduous journey back has instilled a renewed sense of purpose and ease in his play.
"To be able to perform at the standard I know I can perform at, it just makes me feel more at ease and confident in what I'm doing and that I'm going in the right direction," he revealed. "To truly feel like myself again, that’s what makes all the difference."
As the Baltimore Ravens gear up for the 2024 NFL season, Stanley's resurgence symbolizes more than just individual triumph. His story is one of perseverance, a beacon for the team, and an inspiring narrative for the sport itself. With Stanley anchoring the offensive line, the Ravens can look forward to building upon the solid foundations laid during his remarkable return to form.