The Ravens won’t have star quarterback Lamar Jackson for Sunday’s clash with rival Pittsburgh, but they will welcome back two key players who’ve been sidelined since October.
Prior to Saturday’s 4 p.m. roster deadline, Baltimore activated running back J.K. Dobbins and safety Marcus Williams from injured reserve. Dobbins hasn’t played since Week 6 and underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to remove scar tissue in late October. The third-year running back missed all of last season after tearing the ACL, LCL, and meniscus in his left knee in the 2021 preseason finale and appeared in four games earlier this season, but he wasn’t satisfied with the range of motion in his left knee, electing to have the procedure to speed up the recovery process.
Dobbins was designated to return to practice on Nov. 30 and hopes to provide a spark for a running game averaging just 4.08 yards per carry over three games since the Week 10 bye.
“J.K. is looking good, and I really think that time off and what he was able to take care of is going to make a big impact on his effectiveness,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Thursday. “He’s really excited about being back. We’re excited about having him back. And then let’s roll the ball out there and play some ball.”
Williams has been sidelined since dislocating his left wrist in the Week 5 win over Cincinnati on Oct. 9. He’s been practicing since Nov. 23, but he hadn’t been cleared for contact until this past week.
The prize free-agent addition of this past offseason, Williams registered three interceptions and five pass breakups over the first five games of the 2022 season.
“He looks great. I kid with him [how] he’s got fresh legs right now, so he’s moving around really well,” defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald said Thursday. “He’s been going for a couple weeks now, so he looks the same this week as he did weeks prior as he’s kind of getting ready to go.”
To make room on the 53-man roster for Dobbins and Williams, Baltimore waived running back Mike Davis and placed cornerback Daryl Worley (hamstring) on IR.
With Jackson officially listed as doubtful and not expected to play against the Steelers after injuring his left knee in last week’s win over Denver, the Ravens elevated rookie quarterback Anthony Brown from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. The undrafted free agent out of Oregon will serve as the backup to Tyler Huntley, who is set to make his first start of the season.
Baltimore also elevated defensive back Ar’Darius Washington from the practice squad on Saturday.
