Darren Waller

Ever since the Ravens signed Benjamin Watson in the off-season and re-signed Dennis Pitta, the tight end position figured to be among the deepest on the team and the most utilized by the offense.

Training camp injuries to Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams, Daniel Brown and Pitta have left the Ravens with three healthy tight ends at times, including two, Darren Waller and Nick Boyle, who will miss the first four and 10 games, respectively, for violating the NFL drug policy.

It hasn't stopped offensive coordinator Marc Trestman from calling plays for his tight ends.

In Thursday's 22-19 preseason opening victory over the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium, tight ends were targeted for 16 of the 28 passes attempted by quarterbacks Ryan Mallett and Josh Johnson.

The tight ends responded with 11 catches for 105 yards, including five for 48 yards by Waller, a converted wide receiver, the story said. Watson has been one of quarterback Joe Flacco's favorite targets throughout training camp. Watson will likely open the season as one of the starting tight ends, along with Gillmore, who returned to practice Monday after missing most of training camp with a hamstring injury. Pitta remains sidelined with a sprained finger, the story all said.