In preparation for a massive Week 2 showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Baltimore Ravens have added another warm body to their Practice Squad signing a former, three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN first reported the signing of veteran safety Duron Harmon by the Ravens to bolster their Practice Squad and add another player to their secondary.
#Ravens are signing veteran safety Duron Harmon to the practice squad, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 12, 2023
Harmon has played a lot of football with 78 career starts and 86 tackles/2 INTs for Raiders last year. Insurance for injured Marcus Williams.
The move comes in response to a concerning setback suffered by defensive back Marcus Williams following Week 1's face-off with the Houston Texans, where it's feared he may have sustained a significant pectoral injury.
Williams was forced to exit the game during the first half, and his status was promptly downgraded to "out" once the full extent of his ailment became apparent.
On Monday, coach Harbaugh said the team expects Williams to remain out "a while" as he starts and completes his rehab.
The Ravens had initially entered the 2023 season with high expectations, but their fortunes took a sudden turn for the worse when they lost four key starters in the season opener.
This isn't the first time Williams has faced an extended period on the sidelines. Last season, he missed seven games due to a wrist injury, a departure from his previously reliable track record with the New Orleans Saints, where he missed just five games in his first five seasons.
The likelihood of Williams being placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games, adds to the Ravens' challenges and forced the franchise to sign someone in the event another safety goes down with an injury.
Harmon, with ten years of NFL experience including successful stints with the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, and Las Vegas Raiders, is now joining the Ravens Flock. Harmon's impressive career includes three Super Bowl championships with the Patriots.
Last year, in his final season with the Raiders, Harmon racked up 86 total tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and five pass defenses.
As reported by The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec, Harmon had previously worked out with the Ravens during training camp, giving the Ravens "another veteran option along with Daryl Worley."
In other (bad) news, the Ravens will need to find a solution that looks like will be an internal one to address the void left in their backfield following J.K. Dobbins' season-ending Achilles tear.
Head coach John Harbaugh revealed that Melvin Gordon, a two-time Pro Bowler, is poised to be elevated from the practice squad to provide depth behind Gus Edwards and Justice Hill. Additionally, undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell (ineligible until Week 5), will be another option further down the road.