Ravens: DeShon Elliott shined in his return from injury

Baltimore Ravens safety DeShon Elliott put on a dazzling defensive performance in his first game back from injury against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6.

The fourth-year pro logged his first NFL interception, picking off Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert’s pass to Jared Cook in the second quarter.

Elliott missed the two previous games due to a quad injury, but he was healthy enough to suit up in a pivotal matchup against a tough Chargers team.

The Ravens’ defense pulled through, though, and they have Elliott to thank for some of the biggest defensive plays that game.

Along with his first pick, Elliott recorded his first sack of the season (courtesy of Wink Martindale’s lovely blitzes), had two quarterback hits, and also broke up a pass on a key third down.

Ravens safety DeShon Elliott could be in for his best season yet

Elliott earned the Ravens’ third-highest Pro Football Focus grade for his performance against the Chargers, behind Patrick Ricard and Mark Andrews.

Ever the eagle-eyed ball-hawk at Texas, Elliott nabbed nine interceptions in three years at the collegiate level but has failed to reproduce that kind of production in the NFL. In 16 starts last year and 25 NFL games in total, Elliott didn’t register a single interception.

The 2018 sixth-round pick has dealt with injuries for the better part of his pro career, but in 2021 he’s played in 79 percent of defensive snaps. Slowly but surely, Elliott has been turning into the excellent defender his coaches and teammates always knew he could be.

After the Chargers game, Elliott spoke briefly about his football journey.

"“That’s God’s timing. Whenever you’re ready to go, he’s going to let you go, and I think he was finally like, ‘All right DeShon, it’s time to go out there and play.’ So, he let me go out there and do what I can do, and I’m just happy to be back – back playing with my teammates.”"

And Elliott’s teammates are no doubt grateful he’s back in the lineup, too. The Ravens secondary boasts a top-tier group of defenders alongside Elliott including Chuck Clark, Marlon Humphrey, and Anthony Averett.

With enough luck, determination, and a big payday ahead of him, DeShon Elliott will hopefully stay in Baltimore for the long haul.