Ravens 2021: Final 53-man roster cuts tracker (Updated)

The Baltimore Ravens have begun the process of trimming their roster down to 53 players ahead of Tuesday’s roster cut deadline.

By 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, all 32 NFL teams will be required to have cut their rosters down to 53 players ahead of the start of the regular season.

Just as with every year, this is a difficult process for the organization. The Ravens have a number of tough decisions to make in regard to which players will make the cut and which will find themselves without a roster spot.

Injuries have made this task even more challenging this year. Remember, players placed on the injured reserve prior to final roster cuts will be ineligible to return during the season.

That means that teams are forced to temporarily carry certain players on their 53-man roster before they can move them to either the IR, PUP, or other reserve lists.

The initial 53-man roster the Ravens present on Tuesday likely won’t be the group the team rolls out come Week 1. That’s just the reality of the situation.

Below is a list of all the roster moves the Ravens have reportedly made so far. This list will be updated in real-time so be sure to check back frequently to keep up to date with every move the organization makes.

Ravens Roster Cuts Tracker

• Deon Cain, WR – SOURCE

The Ravens signed Deon Cain to a futures contract in January and the former sixth-round pick actually put together a strong summer.

Unfortunately, injuries plagued the latter portion of his summer and ruined any chances he had of making the 53-man roster.

Cain is a prime practice squad candidate, especially after his impressive showing in training camp.

• Devin Gray, WR – SOURCE

A former undrafted free agent, the Ravens signed Devin Gray in June. Gray was little more than a camp body and never really had a shot at making the final roster.

There’s a chance he sneaks onto the practice squad, but the Ravens might be able to find more appealing options elsewhere.

• Siaosi Mariner, WR – SOURCE

The Ravens signed Siaosi Mariner a few weeks ago following a slew of injuries at the wide receiver position. Like Gray, he never had a chance to make the 53-man roster and probably won’t land on the practice squad either.

• Michael Schofield, OL – SOURCE

The Ravens signed Michael Schofield in June looking for additional offensive line depth. With 69 career starts under his belt, Schofield seemed like a player who could push for a roster spot.

His guard/tackle versatility also gave him additional value, but clearly not enough to earn him a roster spot.

With Schofield out of the picture, expect either Trystan Colon-Castillo or Ben Bredeson to make the roster as the team’s ninth offensive lineman.

• Eric Tomlinson, TE – SOURCE

Eric Tomlinson signed with the Ravens last year and was expected to compete for one of the backup tight end roles this summer.

His releases comes as a bit of a surprise given that Nick Boyle is not expected to be ready for Week 1, despite being activated off the PUP list.

This is either good news for rookie Ben Mason or an indication that Tomlinson will be re-signed after the initial wave of cuts. The Ravens need a blocking tight end on their roster and Tomlinson was the obvious fill-in for Boyle.

• Tony Poljan, TE – SOURCE

Tony Poljan was one of the more intriguing undrafted signings the Ravens made this offseason. Standing at 6-foot-7, 265 pounds, the former college quarterback is an ideal developmental prospect.

He didn’t stand much of a chance at making the final roster, but he should be a prime practice squad candidate if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

• Justin Ellis, DT – SOURCE

This move comes as a bit of a surprise and indicates that the Ravens plan to carry only five defensive linemen, at least on their initial 53-man roster.

The Ravens could sign Ellis to their practice squad or, more likely, bring him back on the active roster once players are moved to the IR/PUP.

• Nigel Warrior, DB – SOURCE

Nigel Warrior had a strong summer and was competing for one of the final roster spots on the team. But despite an excellent showing in training camp and the preseason, there were just too many bodies in the secondary.

This is good news for Ar’Darius Washington and/or Geno Stone. Warrior will likely land on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

• Chris Smith, OLB – SOURCE

Chris Smith was signed late last month to provide further depth to the team’s pass-rush corps. A seven-year NFL veteran, Smith flashed at times this summer, but was never a serious candidate to make the 53-man roster.

The Ravens will likely carry six outside linebackers into the regular season.

• Jake Verity, K – SOURCE

An undrafted free agent, Jake Verity had a strong summer and looked to be the next developmental kicker the Ravens would receive compensation for.

Unfortunately, he missed a 40-yard field goal in the final preseason game which likely ended any chances of that happening. Verity could return to the practice squad as a COVID-19 safety blanket for both Justin Tucker and Sam Koch.

Verity notably saw action as both a kicker and punter last Saturday.

• Ben Mason, FB – SOURCE

Ben Mason was selected late in the fifth round of this year’s draft. Mason had a quiet summer and struggled to find a role with the team making his release unsurprising.

The former Michigan standout will likely land on the practice squad if he goes unclaimed on waivers with a chance to contribute in the future as an extra blocking tight end or as Patrick Ricard’s successor.

• Nate McCrary, RB – SOURCE

Nate McCrary was signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason and he had some good moments in the preseason. But even with the injury to J.K. Dobbins, McCrary couldn’t crack the final roster.

The Ravens will roll with Gus Edwards, Ty’Son Williams, and Justice Hill with the potential to add an external option while McCrary likely lands on the practice squad.

• Jaylon Moore, WR – SOURCE

Jaylon Moore spent all of last season on the Ravens’ practice squad after being signed as an undrafted free agent. He played well this summer and impressed the coaching staff enough to likely earn him another trip to the practice squad.

In a crowded wide receiver room, however, he was never going to make the 53-man roster.

• Trace McSorley, QB – SOURCE

The Ravens opt to carry two quarterbacks on their active roster with the decision to waive their former sixth-round pick. Trace McSorley loses the backup QB battle to Tyler Huntley.

McSorley will likely land on the practice squad if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

• Anthony Levine, S – SOURCE

A nine-year NFL veteran, Anthony Levine seems like a prime candidate to be re-signed to the active roster once IR/PUP moves are made.

Levine should retain his role as a core special-teamer, assuming he re-signs as expected.

• Pernell McPhee, OLB – SOURCE

Pernell McPhee is another veteran who is expected to re-sign with the team in the next 24 hours. His release is purely a procedural move and he will remain an important part of the pass-rush rotation.

• Adrian Ealy, OT – SOURCE

Signed as an undrafted free agent this past May, Adrian Ealy was one of the more intriguing young offensive linemen on the roster.

Expect the Ravens to look to bring him back on their practice squad as they further develop him. Given their lack of a true swing tackle, Ealy could find his way onto the active roster this season.

• Jovan Swann, DT – SOURCE

The Ravens signed Jovan Swann as an undrafted free agent a few months ago after he spent rookie minicamp with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Swann was always a longshot for the roster, but he could find his way onto the practice squad as additional defensive line depth.

• Foster Sarell, OT – SOURCE

Another undrafted signing, Foster Sarell was competing for playing time with Ealy and could also be a practice squad candidate. If the Ravens only keep one of the two, expect it to be Ealy.

• Bijnimen Victor, WR – SOURCE

A former Ohio State standout, Binjimen Victor was buried on the depth chart in a crowded wide receiver room. He could stick around on the practice squad, though, after making a few plays late in the summer.

• Otaro Alaka, LB – SOURCE

The Ravens waived/injured Otaro Alaka after he appeared in five games with the team last year. A former undrafted free agent, Alaka missed most of the summer due to injury which cost him a chance at making the team.

• Deon Cain, WR – SOURCE

Deon Cain was signed in January after a few years spent with the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers. Cain put together a strong camp and had an outside chance at a roster spot before the injury bug struck.

The Ravens waived/injured Cain, much like they did with Alaka.

• Aaron Crawford, DT – SOURCE

The third and final waived/injured designation, Aaron Crawford was expected to compete with veteran Justin Ellis for the backup nose tackle job.

In the end, both players get cut, although it’s possible that Ellis returns within the next 24 hours.