BALTIMORE — After suffering a torn ACL just days before the 2021 season opener, Ravens running back Gus Edwards was finally back on Sunday.
The fifth-year back had been practicing since Oct. 5 and was officially activated by Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline to play against Cleveland. The news coincided with Baltimore placing running back J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve, a move that will sideline him for at least four games as he’ll reportedly undergo arthroscopic knee surgery this week.
Widely regarded as one of the NFL’s best short-yardage backs prior to last year’s knee injury, Edwards rushed for over 700 yards and averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry in each of his first three seasons, making his 2021 absence a critical one for the Ravens. His return is an encouraging development for an offense that’s had difficulties in the red zone in recent weeks.
Sidelined for the last two games with a mid-foot sprain suffered against Buffalo in Week 4, top wide receiver Rashod Bateman was also back in action on Sunday after practicing on a limited basis all week. The 2021 first-round pick out of Minnesota completed a pregame workout supervised by head athletic trainer Adrian Dixon and wide receivers coach Tee Martin and was deemed ready to go before the inactive list was released.
Veteran outside linebacker Justin Houston also returned to action after missing the last three games with a groin injury sustained against New England in Week 3. Starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley was active despite being added to the injury report with an illness on Saturday.
As expected despite being listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report, tight end Mark Andrews (knee), cornerback Marcus Peters (quad), and fullback Patrick Ricard (knee) were active for Week 7.
On Saturday, the Ravens promoted veteran cornerback Daryl Worley from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and elevated outside linebacker Devon Kennard from the practice squad to play against the Browns. They did not activate wide receiver DeSean Jackson or outside linebackers Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo, so it remains to be seen whether any combination of those three will be cleared to play at Tampa Bay on Thursday night. Jackson worked out on the field prior to Sunday’s 1 p.m. kickoff.
Of Baltimore’s five players deactivated for Sunday’s game, reserve guard Ben Cleveland (illness/foot) was the only one dealing with health concerns. Rookie fourth-round cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis was a healthy scratch for the fourth straight game while wide receiver Tylan Wallace and running back Mike Davis were healthy scratches for the first time this season.
As expected, Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (ankle) was active and set to play against the Ravens after missing last week’s loss to New England.
Below were the Week 7 inactives:
BALTIMORE
CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
WR Tylan Wallace
RB Mike Davis
OLB A.J. Klein
G Ben Cleveland
CLEVELAND
QB Kellen Mond
WR Anthony Schwartz
CB Denzel Ward
OT Joe Haeg
OT Chris Hubbard
G Wyatt Teller
DE Isaac Rochell
