Ravens waive Chris Matthews, activate Maurice Canady off IR

The Baltimore Ravens have waived wide receiver Chris Matthews and activated cornerback Maurice Canady off Injured Reserve.

The Baltimore Ravens are getting healthy at the right time.

Today, the team activated cornerback Maurice Canady off Injured Reserve. To make room for the move, the Ravens waived wide receiver Chris Matthews.

Canady was placed on Injured Reserve before the start of the season after suffering a knee injury. Along with Danny Woodhead, Canady is the second and final player the Ravens can designate to return off IR. The secondary has been a major strength for the defense this season and now there’s even more depth with Canady back. Whether he suits up Sunday is still in question.

Matthews, best known for his 2015 Super Bowl performance with Seattle Seahawks, has been a non-factor at receiver for the Ravens. His stint with the team ends after an up and down ride over the past two seasons. Matthews played a vital role on special teams this season, but Canady offers more potential on the field. This leaves the Ravens with just four healthy wide receivers heading into Sunday’s game against the Titans. You have to figure that won’t help the league’s worst passing attack.

The biggest takeaway from this move is to watch how the nickel cornerback position plays out. Lardarius Webb has seen most of the reps this season but that could change with Canady and Jaylen Hill back. Canady practiced like a starter before getting hurt but he’s yet to really see any regular season time as a starter. It’s likely the Ravens will continue to evaluate him the next few weeks. There’s no rush, especially given the depth at corner right now.

Next: Why the Ravens were smart to stay silent at trade deadline

This is as close as it gets to a must-win game for the Ravens on Sunday. After beating the Dolphins last week and Jets loss last night, a win would give the Ravens an advantage in the Wild Card race.