***Stay right here for updates throughout the day as the Ravens form their 53-man roster for the start of the regular season. Follow us on Twitter and be sure to subscribe to the WNST Text Service for all updates sent directly to your mobile device.***
3:10 p.m. — Three hours ahead of the 6 p.m. deadline, the Ravens have announced their remaining cuts, which include QB Hunter Cantwell, FB Ryan Mahaffey, C Jason Murphy, CB Talmadge Jackson, DT Bryan Hall, LS Patrick Scales, OT Andre Ramsey, S Mana Silva, LB Chavis Williams, CB Josh Victorian, LB Josh Bynes, CB Danny Gorrer, and WR James Hardy.
This means the Ravens have decided to keep — for now — rookie defensive end Michael McAdoo and inebackers Jason Phillips and Albert McClellan.
The roster currently has 53 players, which is a bit peculiar with David Reed’s spot not counting against the roster for Week 1. However, it’s of little consequence with the Ravens expected to sign a veteran backup for quarterback Joe Flacco.
2:11 p.m. — By my count, the Ravens have cleared 14 players from the roster, meaning there are 12 unaccounted for to get down to 54 players (David Reed’s spot won’t count in the opener).
The following players are no longer on the roster:
WR Marcus Smith
WR Brandon Jones
RB Damien Berry
RB Jalen Parmele
TE Davon Drew
TE Johdrick Morris
C Tim Barnes
G/C Justin Boren
OT Ramon Harewood (placed on IR – ankle)
S Nate Williams
LB Tavares Gooden
LB Prescott Burgess
DT Derek Simmons
DT Lamar Divens
1:49 p.m. — After learning rookie receiver LaQuan Williams had made the team, it spelled possible bad news for Marcus Smith. The fourth-year receiver has been cut by the Ravens, according to MASN.
The Ravens have also cleared another roster spot by placing offensive tackle Ramon Harewood on injured reserve with an ankle injury, according to Scout.com.
1:30 p.m. — Rookie cornerback Chykie Brown just informed me via text message that he has made the 53-man roster. The Ravens liked his talent, but there was doubt whether they would ultimately be able to keep him with such a deep group of cornerbacks ahead of him.
1:16 p.m. — Rookie running back Damien Berry has been released and is a possible candidate for the practice squad, according to Scout.com.
With Parmele already gone and Berry joining him, it appears the Ravens will have a total of four running backs (Ray Rice, Vonta Leach, Ricky Williams, and Anthony Allen) when they announce the departure of rookie fullback Ryan Mahaffey.
12:49 p.m. — The names are still trickling in as the Ravens have cut interior offensive lineman Justin Boren, defensive tackle Derek Simmons and veteran receiver Brandon Jones, according to Scout.com. The latter two were not in serious consideration for a roster spot.
I thought Boren might initially sneak on the roster before the Ravens add a backup quarterback or possibly a veteran interior lineman, but the former Ohio State lineman is a prime candidate for the practice squad.
12:12 p.m. — As we hit lunchtime, here’s the recap of what we know so far regarding the Ravens’ cuts:
DT Lamar Divens (first reported by WNST.net)
LB Prescott Burgess
LB Tavares Gooden
RB Jalen Parmele
TE Davon Drew
TE Johdrick Morris
C Tim Barnes
S Nate Williams
That leaves 18 cuts unaccounted for as the Ravens have to trim down to 54 players (David Reed will not count against the roster for Week 1).
12:01 p.m. — Defensive tackle Lamar Divens has been released, as first reported by WNST.net.
WNST’s Glenn Clark can also confirm that former Maryland wide receiver LaQuan Williams has made the 53-man roster, making plenty of local fans happy. Williams may be in the plans as a punt returner as well as the kick returner for Week 1 with David Reed’s suspension.
11:54 a.m. — As we await more difficult decisions on a number of bubble players, Scout.com reports the Ravens have released rookie tight end Johdrick Morris and rookie safety Nate Williams. Neither player was in consideration for a roster spot.
Morris’ release means the Ravens are down to three tight ends
11:13 a.m. — It’s important to point out the Ravens only have to get down to 54 players today. With David Reed suspended for the regular-season opener for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, the second-year receiver will not count against the 53-man roster.
With Gooden, Burgess, Parmele, Barnes, and Drew already waived, that means the Ravens must release 21 more players to get down to 54.
11:04 a.m. — The Ravens have decided to forgo a potential trade and will release linebacker Tavares Gooden, according to Scout.com. He was on the roster bubble after falling behind Jameel McClain, Dannell Ellerbe, and Brendon Ayanbadejo on the depth chart at the inside linebacker spot next to Ray Lewis.
10:43 a.m. — Scout.com is reporting the Ravens have released running back Jalen Parmele. This means rookie running back Anthony Allen is all but guaranteed a roster spot after impressing nearly everyone during the preseason. The Ravens simply couldn’t risk exposing him to the open market in trying to stash him away on the practice squad.
I thought it was possible Parmele might be spared for Week 1 with kick returner David Reed suspended for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, but the Ravens have a number of others capable of returning kicks including rookies Torrey Smith and LaQuan Williams and veterans Lardarius Webb and Tom Zbikowski.
Rookie center Tim Barnes has also been released and could be a candidate for the practice squad, according to his agent’s Twitter account.
10:30 a.m. — The Ravens have released tight end Davon Drew, according to his representation’s Twitter feed. He was pretty clearly on the outside looking in after falling behind veteran Kris Wilson on the depth chart for the No. 3 tight end spot.
NFL reporter Adam Caplan is also reporting the Ravens are shopping linebacker Tavares Gooden to other teams. If they can fetch a low-round draft pick for Gooden, who is very clearly on the bubble anyway, it would be a prudent move by the Ravens.
10:00 a.m. — With the Ravens needing to shrink their roster from 80 to 53 for the regular season by 6 p.m. on Saturday, linebacker Prescott Burgess has reportedly become the first to fall. The special teams standout was waived Saturday morning, according to Scout.com.
Given the Ravens’ depth at the linebacker position and the new kickoff rules somewhat neutralizing the impact of kick coverage, Burgess’ role as the backup strong-side linebacker on the depth chart apparently wasn’t enough to save his spot.
I had Burgess on my 53-man roster that I mocked yesterday, meaning I’ve lost my perfect game right off the bat.
Shows how much I know.
