3 Ravens practice squad players who could be important after the bye week
By Justin Fried
The Baltimore Ravens enter the bye week with a 6-3 record sitting atop the AFC North and primed for a playoff run. The schedule-makers couldn’t have lined up the second half of Baltimore’s schedule any better either.
With a favorable slate of games on tap and a (mostly) healthy roster, the Ravens look like one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL. But as the Ravens know very well, injuries could derail an entire season.
That’s why having both a talented and deep roster is so important in today’s NFL. The Ravens just so happen to have pretty solid depth, with some of those players down on the practice squad.
Either due to injuries or other circumstances, the following three practice squad players could play important roles for the Ravens down the final stretch of the 2022 season.
3. Ar’Darius Washington, S, Ravens
The Ravens have some of the best safety depth in the NFL, and that safety depth was put to the test following an injury to Marcus Williams earlier this year. Williams’ absence has been significant, but the likes of Chuck Clark, Kyle Hamilton, and Geno Stone have stepped up in the meantime.
That said, the Ravens are just one injury away from being very thin at the position. That’s why someone who could prove to be important depth later in the year is second-year former undrafted free agent Ar’Darius Washington.
Washington has played in just one game this season, but his versatility could prove to be very beneficial for the Ravens, especially with their difficulties at slot cornerback.
Don’t be surprised if Washington finds his way back to the active roster at some point this season, either due to injury or due to the Ravens looking to shake up their secondary.
2. Isaiah Mack, DT, Ravens
Another player who has been elevated just once this season, Isaiah Mack made a strong push to make the 53-man roster this summer following an impressive training camp and preseason.
He ultimately couldn’t survive final roster cuts, but Mack remains one of the most important players on the team’s practice squad. One injury to a Ravens defensive lineman and he’ll be called upon to play a notable rotational role.
Mack received his first action of the season in Week 8 when Calais Campbell was sidelined and he played 14 total snaps. Expect a similar type of role if Campbell or another defensive lineman is forced to miss some time.
He may be a forgotten member of the defensive line room right now, but Isaiah Mack is just one injury away from finding himself on the active roster again.
1. DeSean Jackson, WR, Ravens
The top spot on this list was a rather straightforward one. With Rashod Bateman out for the season, the Ravens have just four wide receivers on their active roster.
That’s why we saw the long-awaited Ravens debut of three-time Pro Bowler DeSean Jackson on Monday. Jackson played 11 total snaps, hauling in one catch for 16 yards, before exiting early with a hamstring injury.
Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters after the game that the team was simply playing it safe with Jackson and that he should be healthy when they return from the bye week.
dark. Next. 3 Ravens players who need to get healthy over the bye week
That’s good news for a Ravens team that needs all the wide receiver help they can get. Jackson will continue to play an important part-time role in the offense, and that role could even increase as the year goes on.