Just over five months after being traded to San Francisco, veteran offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah is returning to the Ravens.
On Friday, the sides agreed to a two-year contract worth just under $4 million in base salary and up to $6 million with incentives, according to NFL Network. Zuttah had also drawn interest from Indianapolis after being released by the 49ers last week.
The 31-year-old started 41 games at center for the Ravens from 2014-2016 and was invited to play in the Pro Bowl as an alternate last season, but he was bothered by nagging injuries over the last two years. Baltimore aimed to have a more physical presence at the center position this offseason, prompting the trade to San Francisco that included an exchange of sixth-round picks in April’s draft.
Last year, Zuttah was graded by Pro Football Focus as the 13th-best center in the NFL and was ranked 26th in Bleacher Report’s NFL1000 system. It remains unclear what Zuttah’s role will be as Ryan Jensen has shown steady play as the starting center this summer, but the former’s return could push Jensen to left guard where the Ravens are trying to fill the void left by the injured Alex Lewis.
Zuttah also started 41 games at left guard early in his career with Tampa Bay.
No matter where Zuttah fits, the Ravens needed depth for the interior line after losing Lewis (shoulder) and 2017 fourth-round guard Nico Siragusa (knee) to season-ending injuries and fourth-year lineman John Urschel to retirement since the start of training camp. Baltimore started unknown third-stringer Jarrod Pughsley at right guard against Miami on Thursday night, a reflection of how thin their depth had become.
Zuttah is the second notable addition to the offensive line this month as general manager Ozzie Newsome signed veteran right tackle Austin Howard to a three-year contract on Aug. 4.
