With only two of their waived players being claimed by other teams, the Ravens wasted little time formulating a practice squad with much familiarity on Wednesday afternoon.
Quarterback Trace McSorley, defensive backs Anthony Levine and Jordan Richards, defensive tackle Justin Ellis, outside linebacker Chris Smith, and offensive tackle Andre Smith headlined the list of players to return to the organization after recently being cut. Baltimore also signed offensive tackle Adrian Ealy, wide receivers Jaylon Moore and Binjimen Victor, tight end Tony Poljan, kicker Jake Verity, punter Johnny Townsend, and linebacker Blake Gallagher to the 16-man practice squad, officially leaving three open spots as of Wednesday evening.
Earlier in the day, former Ravens defensive back Nigel Warrior (Seattle) and former Baltimore running back Nate McCrary (Denver) were claimed off waivers and will now go to the 53-man roster of their new teams.
McSorley’s return should ease any concerns about the Ravens entering the regular season with just two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster for the first time since 2017. Tyler Huntley proved himself as a worthy No. 2 option with a strong preseason, but star quarterback Lamar Jackson not being vaccinated for COVID-19 increases the probability of a sudden absence related to the league’s rigid protocols, making a viable No. 3 quarterback more of a priority.
As expected, Levine, 34, returns to the organization as the longtime special-teams captain and could continue in that role without even being promoted to the 53-man roster for the time being. Teams are permitted to elevate up to two players from the practice squad for every game, and each player may be elevated and returned to the practice squad two times before being required to pass through waivers. At the end of the 2020 preseason, the Ravens released Richards, re-signed him to the practice squad, elevated him for each of the first two games, and finally promoted him to the 53-man roster in Week 3, a process that allowed the veteran defensive back to play in every game last year.
With the Ravens lacking a clear backup at the nose tackle position to Brandon Williams, Ellis was a logical candidate to return and would be a strong option for a game-day elevation against any run-heavy opponents.
One player who didn’t re-sign to Baltimore’s practice squad was fullback Ben Mason. According to NFL Network, the 2021 fifth-round pick from Michigan agreed to sign to the New England practice squad. This comes only days after the Ravens traded fellow fifth-round pick and rookie cornerback Shaun Wade to the Patriots.
The news might have explained head coach John Harbaugh’s response when asked earlier in the afternoon if Mason still factored into the Ravens’ plans after being waived on Tuesday
“I’m not going to comment on those things,” Harbaugh said. “I’m sure he can announce his own plans himself.”
On a more positive note, wide receivers Marquise Brown (hamstring) and Sammy Watkins took part in Wednesday’s practice after the team had conducted walk-throughs on Monday and Tuesday. It was Brown’s first practice since July 29 while Watkins had missed the better part of the last two weeks with an undisclosed injury.
“I thought they looked good,” Harbaugh said. “It’s good to have them back, and we’re going to work now.”
Media reports in Owings Mills also noted the practice returns of tight end Nick Boyle (knee), cornerback Marlon Humphrey (groin), and running back Justice Hill (ankle). Boyle was taking part in his first practice since suffering a serious knee injury last November. Harbaugh said earlier this week that the blocking tight end isn’t expected to be ready for Week 1, but his 2021 practice debut is an encouraging sign for an early-season return to action.
