Ravens name Jovaughn Gwyn starting center for Week 1

Join the huddle. Sign up here for Ravens updates in your inbox. As the Ravens head into Week 1, Jovaughn Gwyn will prepare to start at center, coach Jesse Minter announced Monday. Following Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum's departure, the Ravens have been searching for an answer at center. They did not draft a replacement but signed three free agents including Gwyn. Danny Pinter was the second to sign with the team and seemed to have a slight edge. The Ravens signed veteran Ethan Pocic later in camp, but Pocic was making his way back from an Achilles injury. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta indicated in a radio interview that Pinter was leading the competition, but when the team went to Minnesota for joint practices with the Vikings, Pinter tore his patella tendon, which is a season-ending injury. Gwyn stepped up in Pinter's absence while Pocic continued to ramp up. They each got opportunities in the preseason. Minter mentioned Gwyn's familiarity with offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford and the system as something that's tipped the scales towards Gwyn. However, Minter also called this a 'Week 1 decision, not a permanent decision,' leaving the door open for Pocic if he's able to regain his form in future practices.