The Ravens began forming their 16-man practice squad by re-signing four vested veterans and bringing back 11 other young players who were with the team during the preseason.
The most notable player to join the practice squad was two-time Pro Bowl running back Melvin Gordon, who was released after undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell beat him out for the No. 4 running back job behind veterans J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill. The 30-year-old Gordon signed with Baltimore days before the start of training camp and had 17 carries for 59 yards and four receptions for 29 yards over three preseason games this summer.
General manager Eric DeCosta also re-signed center Sam Mustipher, who missed out on a 53-man roster spot as the Ravens elected to keep 2021 third-round pick Ben Cleveland for additional depth at guard. Mustipher had a good summer and started 40 games for Chicago from 2020-22, so he’ll serve as an insurance policy for starting center Tyler Linderbaum with Baltimore having the ability to elevate the Owings Mills native from the practice squad up to three times.
“Sam has played very well. He’s picked up the offense very well, but he’s a guy that has started numerous games, so he’s been there,” head coach John Harbaugh said last week. “He understands the concepts. He’s held up really well from a base and an anchor standpoint. And he’s moved his feet well in reach blocks and things like that — very few mistakes. He’s definitely put himself in the position to be a contributor for us.”
Patrick Mekari could also serve as a game-day backup to Linderbaum, but he hasn’t played the position with any regularity since 2020. Despite signing with the New York Jets in March, former Ravens reserve center Trystan Colon was waived on Tuesday, but he was claimed by Arizona, ending any thought of a potential reunion with Baltimore.
Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and safety Daryl Worley were the other vested veteran to join the practice squad after being released Tuesday.
Despite some fan angst that he wouldn’t clear waivers, undrafted rookie tight end Travis Vokolek also re-signed to the practice squad after going unclaimed. He caught two touchdowns in a standout preseason performance against Washington, but he was always unlikely to crack the 53-man roster with Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Charlie Kolar ahead of him on the depth chart.
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Quarterback Anthony Brown will return to the practice squad after being waived on Tuesday. Brown appeared in two games for the Ravens last season and started the Week 18 loss at Cincinnati with both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley injured.
In addition to Gordon, Mustipher, Treadwell, Worley, Vokolek, and Brown, the the Ravens signed the following nine to their practice squad on Wednesday:
G TyKeem Doss
S Jeremy Lucien
G Tashawn Manning
FB/TE Ben Mason
OLB Jeremiah Moon
DT Rayshad Nichols
ILB Josh Ross
WR Sean Ryan
RB Owen Wright
