Tyus Bowser, David Ojabo could provide a huge boost to Ravens pass rush
By Kristen Wong
The Baltimore Ravens could see Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo back on the field in the coming weeks. What does this spell for the team’s pass rush?
Starting outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and Justin Houston will get a much needed break, for one thing. Bowser tore his ACL in the 2021 season-finale but returned to practice on Wednesday along with 2022 second-rounder David Ojabo.
Ojabo, who is rehabbing a torn Achilles, previously stated he planned to return as early as October, and so far he’s making good on his promise.
Bowser and Ojabo likely won’t be up to full speed by the time the Ravens take on the New York Giants in Week 6, yet the window has been opened for both of them to rejoin the starting roster sometime this month.
The Ravens, who have had issues w/health and production at OLB, feel good about the outlook at the position. JPP has given them lift. Justin Houston (groin) could return soon. In a few wks, they could have OLB rotation of Oweh, Bowser, Houston, JPP and Ojabo. https://t.co/u5zDuDy0SQ
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 12, 2022
Outside linebacker is a position of strength for the Ravens when everyone is fully healthy
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) October 12, 2022
- Tyus Bowser
- Justin Houston
- David Ojabo
- Odafe Oweh
- Jason Pierre-Paul
Ravens’ Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo are making good progress in their recovery
Of the two of them, Bowser has a better chance at returning to the fold given his veteran status and successful rehab. Bowser led the Ravens in sacks in 2021 with seven total and could overtake Justin Houston for a starting role this season.
Ojabo is ahead of schedule in his recovery but will probably need more time to get situated, especially since he’s new to the defensive system and hasn’t yet adjusted to the NFL.
It’s worth noting that the Ravens have been extremely cautious in rolling out their previously injured players this year, limiting the snaps of Ronnie Stanley and J.K. Dobbins in particular. The team will most likely take a similar approach to Bowser and Ojabo, so keep expectations to a minimum for the time being.
Once those two are fully healthy, however, the Ravens can boast an elite outside linebacker room and should experience a major boost in production from the team’s pass rush, which has been limp of late.
Through five weeks, Houston has notched two sacks and Oweh has notched just one with the defensive line and interior defense arguably packing more of a punch in the pass rush (Justin Madubuike has 1.5 sacks and Patrick Queen and Josh Bynes have 2.5 combined).
dark. Next. One crazy stat about Justin Tucker’s game-winning FG in Week 5
Seeing Bowser and Ojabo return to practice is a good first step in 2022, and the Ravens should feel confident about the strength of their pass-rushing cavalry moving forward.