Baltimore Ravens starting cornerback and former Clemson star Nate Wiggins sustained a scary injury at training camp on Tuesday, one that appeared to be potentially serious, as he had to be carted off the field with an apparent left leg injury.
However, updates Tuesday night revealed excellent news regarding his injury status.
According to multiple reports, Wiggins did not suffer any structural or ligament damage, based on initial testing, and the 22-year-old defensive standout is believed to have avoided a major, long-term injury.
Wiggins’ injury occurred an hour into Tuesday’s practice during one-on-one drills, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, who reported that Wiggins went down in “visible pain” after his feet got tangled with rookie wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane. Per Hensley, Wiggins fell hard to the ground and was unable to put weight on his left leg, resulting in him being carted off the field.
While the Ravens have not yet provided a definitive diagnosis or an exact timetable for Wiggins’ return, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec reported that Wiggins is expected back “sooner rather than later.”
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that “he’ll continue to undergo tests, but the early signs are that he’ll come out of it better than initially feared.”
Wiggins enjoyed a strong rookie campaign in 2024 after being drafted 30th overall by the Ravens, and he followed it up with an outstanding sophomore season, when he ranked second on the team in interceptions (three) and first in passes defended (14) while ranking fifth on the team with 76 total tackles.
Through his first two NFL seasons, the 6-foot-1, 182-pounder has played in 32 games with 23 starts, while recording 109 total tackles, two tackles for loss, 27 passes defended, four interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown) and one forced fumble.
A 2023 first-team All-ACC selection, Wiggins recorded 50 tackles (three for loss), 24 pass breakups, three interceptions (including two returned for touchdowns), two forced fumbles, a sack and a blocked field goal over 34 games (18 starts) in his career at Clemson from 2021-23.
“Obviously, Nate is an elite player,” Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said after Tuesday’s practice, via ESPN. “I think Nate has potential to be one of the top corners in the whole league. But I feel good about that whole [cornerback] room.”
