Things have gone from bad to worse for the Baltimore Ravens’ embattled defensive secondary.  

Free safety Marcus Williams, the team’s top free agent acquisition of the offseason, will go on injured reserve after suffering a dislocated wrist.  

While Williams is expected to return at some point this season, Ravens coach Jon Harbaugh told reporters Monday that Williams will miss "a significant amount of time." 

Williams is thought to have injured his wrist early in Baltimore’s 19-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday night but attempted to play through it.  

"He gutted it out," Harbaugh said. "He didn't really say too much about it, so I don't think anybody realised how serious it was until they got inside and took a look at it."

Williams, who spent the first five years of his career with the New Orleans Saints, has three interceptions and five pass breakups this season – a rare bright spot for a secondary that is allowing a league-worst 305.8 passing yards per game.  

Young players like Geno Stone and 2022 first-round pick Kyle Hamilton will be forced into larger roles for the Ravens’ defense.  

"Both [Stone and Hamilton] have their own styles, and I think they're going to both play well for us," Harbaugh said. "So I'm looking forward to all those guys, as a team [and] as a group, kind of filling in for Marcus and not losing a step on that."

The Ravens lead the AFC North at 3-2 and visit the 4-1 New York Giants this Sunday.