The Baltimore Ravens made three roster transactions on Tuesday, two of them expected and the other one a world-shocking move.
The Ravens placed wide receiver and return specialist Devin Duvernay on injured reserve due to a back injury suffered last Sunday in the 37-31 overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport broke the news.
#Ravens All-Pro returner Devin Duvernay suffered a back injury on Sunday and is being placed on Injured Reserve, sources say. It will not require a procedure and he should be good for the playoffs. To fill his roster spot, Baltimore signed Malik Cunningham from New England PS.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 12, 2023
In a follow-up move, the Ravens activated cornerback Damarion "Pepe" Williams off Injured Reserve on the last day they were able to before losing him for the full season.
We have activated CB Pepe Williams from Reserve ❗ pic.twitter.com/SF3WQx9CAq
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 12, 2023
Ravens place WR/ST Devin Duvernay on Injured Reserve
Duvernay, a key player for the Ravens if only because of his special-team chops, will now be forced to miss the next four weeks leading up to the playoffs, when he's expected to return.
This season, Duvernay is averaging 12.6 yards per punt return, which ranks fourth in the NFL as a whole. His absence will be filled by Tylan Wallace, who turned into the Ravens' hero last weekend in replacement of the injured Duvernay. Wallace clinched the dub for the Flock with a ridiculous 76-yard walk-off punt return.
Ravens activate CB Damarion "Pepe" Williams off IR
In a separate, inverse transaction the Ravens activated defensive back Williams from injured reserve, bolstering their defense as they might not have defensive back Kyle Hamilton available next Sunday.
Williams has been sidelined since late August when he underwent ankle surgery. He was cleared to return on Nov. 21 and he was activated on the last day before the 21-day window was over, which would have forced him out of the full season. Last season, Williams appeared in 14 games completing 24 tackles.
In a third transaction, the Ravens signed QB/WR Malik Cunningham off the New England Patriots practice squad to make the former Lamar Jackson teammate at Louisville the fourth quarterback currently on the roster of the Ravens.