Baltimore Ravens' shocking roster moves ahead of training camp

The Baltimore Ravens have made some notable moves concerning some of their players given their health status ahead of the training camp portion of the pre-season, the franchise announced on Friday, July 21.

Prior to the official kickoff of the Ravens training camp, scheduled for Tuesday, July 25, the Ravens made official seven different roster moves, including some unexpected ones.

Five players went to the PUP list including no. 1 rusher J.K. Dobbins, one more entered the non-football injury list of casualties, and most interestingly Rashod Bateman was listed as a "did not report" player.

These are the moves, including players moved to the PUP and those removed from training camp with non-football injuries:

Physically Unable to Perform (PUP):

- RB J.K. Dobbins
- FB Patrick Ricard
- CB Pepe Williams
- DT Rayshad Nichols
- WR Mike Thomas

Non-Football Injury:

- OLB Tyus Bowser

Did Not Report:

- WR Rashod Bateman

J.K. Dobbins missed minicamp focusing on recovering from knee surgery. However, he reported to camp on Thursday, July 20 with the rest of the injured veterans on the team and he is expected back at some point in August. Whether or not he'll end up getting any pre-season reps is still unknown, even more after the arrival of Melvin Gordon III, if only to preserve Dobbins' health.

Tyus Bowser is dealing with knee issues after he suffered a flareup after returning to the field earlier this offseason. Patrick Ricard is still recovering from offseason hip surgery, and HC John Harbaugh already told reporters in minicamp that he was unsure of his return at any point through training camp.

The most surprising absence was the one regarding no. 1 wideout Rashod Bateman, who was placed on the reserve/did not report list.

Bateman was reportedly been given a cortisone shot in his foot a few weeks ago which turned into the wide receiver missing minicamp in June. He participated during OTAs in May partially, but that was it.

Ravens' GM Eric DeCosta was quoted yesterday by official accounts saying that "I have spoken to Rashod and we expect him here very soon" on Friday in a message that accompanied the release of the note reporting on the roster moves ahead of training camp.

While most of these moves are more probably than not leaning toward taking precautionary measures rather than conflicts between the players and the franchise, some are truly worth some pause and consideration, such as the ones involving Dobbins and Bateman.

Dobbins is entering a contract year and Bateman has been expected to lead the offense at the wide receiver position for a few seasons now but he's never really exploded to date. Another injury to any of these two would be devasting for both the players in particular and the Ravens' championship hopes as a whole.

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