It’s been a rough stretch for Kyle Van Noy. First came a penalty, then the injury. And now, the NFL is handing down a hefty fine that leaves the Baltimore Ravens linebacker with even more frustration.

According to the league office, Van Noy is being fined $17,389. The reason? Dropping his “body weight” on Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco during the first play from scrimmage in Week 2. The hit came almost immediately after kickoff, at the 14:56 mark of the first quarter, setting the tone for a bizarre storyline that overshadowed what should’ve just been another divisional clash. Instead, the NFL’s decision is now the headline.

The sequence itself was quick. Van Noy burst through untouched and closed in on Flacco, the former Ravens Super Bowl hero. The linebacker struck him clean at the hip and brought him down hard. However, highlights from The Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer show the league’s call wasn’t about the timing or placement of the hit. It was strictly about how Van Noy landed, leaving him on the wrong end of a controversial rule that continues to frustrate defenders.

Making matters worse, Van Noy couldn’t finish the game. He left with a hamstring issue that will sideline him for “multiple weeks.” That means the Ravens are now down one of their top pass rushers, a critical piece of their front seven. But when can he return?

Just a few days ago, Coach John Harbaugh declined to provide an update on how long Van Noy could be out. “There’s nothing season-ending or long, long-term,” he said. “Everything else is either day to day. Something might stretch week to week. There’s really no advantage for us in sharing that information today for our opponent.” So we have to wait until the next media day to get something.

Last year, Van Noy led the Ravens with 12 1/2 sacks and earned his first Pro Bowl. So he will be tough to replace. Still, the season keeps moving. Finding the right answers won’t be simple, but defensive coordinator Zach Orr has no choice but to shuffle pieces.

How Ravens will replace Kyle Van Noy?

Replacing Kyle Van Noy is no small task, but the Ravens do have some intriguing options waiting in the wings. At the top of that list are third-year pro Tavius Robinson and rookie Mike Green. Both bring different skill sets, and both could emerge as the natural successor to the 34-year-old linebacker.

For Robinson, the potential has been clear since the start of the season. The 6-foot-6 player has the frame and athleticism to be a real problem for offensive lines. Against the Browns, he showed exactly why coaches have called him a potential “centerpiece” for the defense. On a key snap, he forced the fumble that Roquan Smith returned for a touchdown. Plays like that stand out because they flip momentum and fire up Charm City fans.

Meanwhile, the rookie Green brings his own brand of excitement. He led all of college football in sacks last year, and the expectation is that he can translate that dominance to the pro level. What makes it even more encouraging is that he’s been learning under a member of the Ravens’ legendary 2000 defence. That kind of mentorship is priceless, especially for a young player trying to carve out his role in a fierce front seven.

So far, the growth is showing. Green notched his first pressure against the Browns, per Pro Football Reference. That’s not headline material yet, but it’s progress. Now the real test comes in Week 3, when Baltimore will need both Robinson and Green to step up and keep the pass rush rolling without Van Noy.