According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Baltimore Ravens are demoting wide receiver Breshad Perriman. He’ll see significantly fewer reps going forward.
It feels like this has been a long time coming.
The Baltimore Ravens drafted Breshad Perriman in the first round of the 2015 draft with high hopes and it’s been anything but that though close to three seasons. Now, it looks like the coaching staff and the front office finally see what we see.
Ahead of their matchup against the Green Bay Packers, the Ravens are demoting Perriman, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. According to Rapoport, the team wants to see how Perriman responds.
The #Ravens are demoting first-round and former starting WR Breshad Perriman, sources say. This move, which could last just this week based on how he responds, was signaled based on his practice reps.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 19, 2017
It’s been a frustrating campaign for Perriman and the Ravens. He missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury and at the time, progressed much more slowly than John Harbaugh and the coaching staff were expecting. Perriman finally took the field last season and showed flashes of potential, finishing with 499 yards and three touchdowns.
This offseason, the noise around the facility was all about Perriman. With Steve Smith Sr. gone, it was time for Perriman to finally step into that No. 1 role. Well, as it turns out, great practices don’t mean great gameplay and that’s been very apparent. In eight games, Perriman has just seven catches for 54 yards and zero touchdowns. You don’t have to be a football expert to know that’s putrid, especially for a first-round pick.
I’m honestly surprised it took this long for a move to be made. Perriman lacks confidence and he’s a non-factor on the field. The demotion gives second-year receiver Chris Moore a much bigger role for at least the next week. He, like Perriman, has showed flashes but really hasn’t had ample playing time. Now Moore gets that shot.
Next: Baltimore Ravens: 3 reasons to expect a win in Green Bay
it’ll be interesting to see how Perriman responds and how the team addresses the outside noise. With only one year left on his rookie contract, the Ravens will have to make some decisions within the next year and we’ll see how that plays out.