Ravens Top Colts 24-16 in Preseason Opener: Victory Overshadowed by Devastating Rookie Injury

Baltimore, MD – The Baltimore Ravens kicked off their 2025 preseason campaign with a 24-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on Thursday night, but the win was overshadowed by a season-ending injury to rookie cornerback Bilhal Kone that left the entire Ravens organization shaken.

Game Summary

The Ravens controlled the game from start to finish, building momentum through all four quarters while the Colts struggled to find consistency on both sides of the ball. Baltimore’s balanced attack and opportunistic defense proved too much for Indianapolis in what served as an early measuring stick for both AFC contenders.

However, the victory came at a devastating cost when sixth-round rookie Bilhal Kone suffered a gruesome knee injury in the first quarter that will sideline him for the entire 2025 season.

Final Score: Baltimore Ravens 24, Indianapolis Colts 16

Key Statistics

Passing Leaders:

• Daniel Jones (IND): 10/21, 144 yards
• Devin Leary (BAL): 3/12, 43 yards, 1 INT

Rushing Leaders:

• Keaton Mitchell (BAL): 9 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD
• Ulysses Bentley IV (IND): 7 carries, 35 yards

Receiving Leaders:

• Ashton Dulin (IND): 3 receptions, 54 yards
• LaJohntay Wester (BAL): 2 receptions, 41 yards

Devastating Injury Overshadows Victory

The game’s defining moment came in the first quarter when Ravens rookie cornerback Bilhal Kone suffered a season-ending knee injury that was immediately apparent as it was gruesome. The Western Michigan product tore a ligament in his left knee while defending Colts receiver Ashton Dulin on an incomplete pass down the left sideline.

Kone was visibly in severe pain, grabbing his left leg as Ravens medical staff quickly attended to him. His leg was placed in an air cast before he was carted off the field, with the injury’s severity casting a somber mood over what should have been a celebratory preseason opener.

Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh’s emotional response: “Even seeing him in the locker room just now is really hard. Very hard. But I told him the sun will come up tomorrow. You’ll get this taken care of. You’ll be rehabbing, you’re part of our team, and you’ll be back. So it’s just not on the time that you hope for.”

The injury represents a significant blow to Baltimore’s cornerback depth, as Kone had been competing for one of the final roster spots at the position. The sixth-round draft pick led Western Michigan with nine passes broken up last season while recording 70 tackles and one interception.

Key Matchups & Performances

Ravens’ Ground Game Dominance

Despite the emotional toll of Kone’s injury, Keaton Mitchell provided a bright spot for Baltimore, breaking loose for 68 yards on nine carries and finding the end zone with an impressive touchdown run. His explosive speed and vision were on full display, giving Ravens fans something positive to focus on during a difficult evening.

Special Teams Spark

LaJohntay Wester provided one of the game’s most electrifying moments, taking a punt return to the house for a Ravens touchdown. The dynamic return showcased Baltimore’s depth in the return game and their ability to flip field position in an instant, helping the team maintain momentum despite the early adversity.

Colts’ Passing Struggles

Daniel Jones completed 10 of 21 passes for 144 yards, but the Colts’ aerial attack lacked the consistency needed to keep pace with Baltimore. Jones showed flashes but couldn’t establish the rhythm Indianapolis will need for their playoff aspirations, particularly against a Ravens defense playing with heavy hearts.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter:

• Ravens took early control before Kone’s injury shifted the emotional tone
• Baltimore maintained focus despite the devastating setback

2nd Quarter:

• The Colts responded with field goal attempts to stay competitive
• Ravens showed resilience in continuing to execute their game plan

3rd Quarter:

• Indianapolis managed to keep the deficit manageable
• Baltimore’s depth players stepped up in emotional circumstances

4th Quarter:

• Ravens sealed the victory with Rasheen Ali’s 2-yard touchdown plunge
• The team dedicated the win to their injured rookie teammate

Key Takeaways

For Baltimore Ravens:

✅ Resilience Under Adversity: The Team showed mental toughness, continuing to play aftera traumatic injury

✅ Depth on Display: Multiple players stepped up with quality performances in difficult circumstances

✅ Special Teams Excellence: The punt return touchdown highlighted a potentially dangerous return unit

✅ Running Game Potential: Mitchell’s performance suggests Baltimore’s ground attack could be explosive

For Indianapolis Colts:

⚠️ Offensive Consistency: Struggled to sustain drives and find rhythm in the passing game

⚠️ Defensive Gaps: Allowed too many explosive plays, particularly in the running game

⚠️ Special Teams Coverage: Breakdown on punt coverage led to a momentum-shifting touchdown

⚠️ Missed Opportunity: Failed to capitalize when Ravens were emotionally shaken early

Causes for Concern

Baltimore Ravens: Beyond the obvious devastation of losing Kone for the season, the Ravens must address their cornerback depth chart immediately. While the team showed admirable resilience, Devin Leary’s struggles (3/12, 1 INT) raise questions about quarterback depth behind Lamar Jackson. The emotional impact of such a severe injury to a young teammate could also affect team chemistry if not properly managed.

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts’ inability to establish an offensive rhythm is troubling, even in preseason. With Jones completing less than 50% of his passes, questions remain about the quarterback position and offensive line protection. More concerning was their failure to capitalize when the Ravens were emotionally affected by Kone’s injury – championship teams find ways to seize such moments.

Looking Ahead

The Ravens face an immediate roster decision regarding cornerback depth following Kone’s injury. The team will likely explore free agency or practice squad elevations to address the position, while also providing emotional support for a young player whose dreams were shattered in his first NFL action.

For Indianapolis, the focus must be on offensive consistency and taking advantage of opportunities. Their inability to capitalize when Baltimore was emotionally vulnerable raises questions about their killer instinct.

The Human Element

Beyond statistics and game analysis, Kone’s injury serves as a stark reminder of football’s inherent dangers and the dreams that can be shattered in an instant. The sixth-round pick from Western Michigan had worked his entire life for this opportunity, only to see it end before his first preseason game was complete.

Coach Harbaugh’s emotional response highlighted the family atmosphere within the Ravens organization, while also demonstrating the leadership that has made Baltimore a consistent contender. How the team rallies around their injured teammate could define their season as much as any on-field performance.

Next Up: Both teams continue preseason preparation with their respective Week 2 matchups. The Ravens will honor Kone’s memory by competing at the highest level, while the Colts must find solutions to their offensive consistency issues.

This victory, while important for preseason momentum, will be remembered more for the devastating injury that ended a young man’s season before it began. In the grand scheme of NFL seasons, some moments transcend wins and losses – Thursday night in Baltimore was one of those moments.

Stay connected with Bad Dawg Sports for exclusive insider coverage, authentic perspectives, and breaking news from the world of professional sports. From press conferences to locker room insights, we bring you closer to the game.

Follow Bad Dawg Sports:

• Website: www.bad-dawgsports.com
• Social: @Bad_Dawg_Sports Instagram, @jj_pavlick (Patriots/NFL), @DFeuerstein (NY Jets), @FootballTalkwbo (Seattle Seahawks) on X.com, @baddawgsports YouTube.