OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens activated defensive tackles Brandon Williams and Justin Madubuike as well as outside linebacker Justin Houston from the reserve-COVID-19 list on Tuesday.
Those three and outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson were placed on the list Friday morning, which forced them out of Sunday’s 19-17 win at Detroit. In their absence, the Ravens brought up defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie, inside linebacker Josh Bynes, offensive tackle Andre Smith, and cornerback Kevon Seymour from the practice squad to play against the Lions in Week 3. Bynes has since been promoted to the 53-man roster.
According to multiple reports, Ferguson was the only one of the four to test positive for the virus, meaning the other three were deemed high-risk close contacts. Only unvaccinated players are subject to the five-day isolation period for being a close contact of someone testing positive.
On Wednesday, Baltimore officially designated wide receivers Rashod Bateman (groin) and Miles Boykin (hamstring) to return from injured reserve to begin practicing. This begins a period of up to 21 days in which they can practice before the Ravens must reinstate them to the 53-man roster or leave them on IR for the remainder of the season.
“They are both going to come back and practice,” head coach John Harbaugh said, “and we’ll see where that takes us.”
Harbaugh said tight end Nick Boyle (knee) will not begin practicing this week even though he’s eligible to return after beginning the regular season on IR.