It's been one of the greatest weeks for the Baltimore Ravens when it comes to cleaning their health bill at least a bit. That, of course, had to change a bit just hours before the Week 5 divisional game against rivals Pittsburgh Steelers...
On Saturday, ahead of the deadline to make the final transactions before Sunday's kick-off, the Ravens made the worst possible announcement: safety Daryl Worley has been placed on Injured Reserve and will miss the next four matchups.
We have made the following roster moves ahead of tomorrow’s game vs. Pittsburgh. https://t.co/SkNPLKI4cC
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 7, 2023
Daryl Worley left last Sunday's game at Cleveland with a shoulder injury and didn't return to the field. He had his best game one week before that one, in the Week 3 clash against Indianapolis in which he went on to log 102 snaps overall.
Worley will be forced out of the next four games following his placement on IR even if he is able to return to the field earlier.
The safety, who has manned the hole opened by Marcus Williams' absence, is expected to be replaced by the very own Williams starting in Week 5 as everything points toward the secondary star being finally available for the matchup at Pittsburgh.
Last week, Arthur Maulet entered the game when Worley left it to take on nickel corner duties. That forced Kyle Hamilton back to his usual safety position, playing next to Geno Stone.
RB Kenyan Drake and WR Laquon Treadwell promoted from Practice Squad
In a subsequent move following Worley's placement on IR, the Ravens activated veteran running back Kenyan Drake and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell from their practice squad so they can play against the Steelers in Week 5.
There was a decision to make in the backfield with both Drake and rookie UDFA Keaton Mitchell available for promotion on Saturday. The Ravens decided to side with the veteran so they could leave Mitchell on the PS and rehabbing as he just exited IR himself.
Melvin Gordon (another genius veteran-signing made by the Ravens) cannot be activated anymore as he's already spent his three promotions from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
If Baltimore wants to use Gordon in another regular season game the franchise will need to add him to the 53-man roster for the remainder of the season and he will be forced to remain there.
Drake is expected to take on RB3 duties and be barely used in Week 5 with both RB1 Gus Edwards and RB2 Justice Hill available. It's worth noting that Hill is coming off turf toe/hamstring injuries, so he might be fully fit and get to the field on a pitch count just as last weekend.
As for Treadwell, he joins a hurt wide receiver unit expected to welcome back some bodies this weekend with the return of Odell Beckham (questionable) and Rashod Bateman (cleared from a hamstring).
Treadwell was active last week but he only logged 17 snaps--all of them on special-team plays--even with Bateman and Beckham out.
He shouldn't take many more snaps in Week 5 as all weapons pertaining to the pass-catching corps will be available (and fired up) including wideouts and tight ends.