As players enjoyed the holiday off before continuing preparations for Sunday’s season opener against the Denver Broncos, the Ravens formulated the rest of their 10-man practice squad.
On Labor Day, Baltimore announced the signings of wide receivers Daniel Brown and Jeremy Ross and tight end Dominique Jones to a group that already included quarterback Bryn Renner, receiver Jeremy Butler, offensive linemen Kaleb Johnson and De’Ondre Wesley, outside linebacker Brennen Beyer, and safety Nick Perry. The Ravens then officially added former Houston Texans cornerback Charles James to their practice squad and released tight end Konrad Reuland from their practice squad on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old Ross brings the most intrigue of the trio signed on Monday after appearing in 16 games with the Detroit Lions in 2013. The 215-pound receiver not only caught 24 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown, but he served as Detroit’s primary return specialist for most of the last two seasons.
Ross averaged 25.4 yards per kickoff return and 8.9 yards per punt return in 2014, a year after registering a kickoff return for a touchdown and a punt return score for the Lions. He also spent time with Green Bay, Indianapolis, and New England earlier in his career.
“He’s a guy with a lot of history in Detroit,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “It was kind of amazing that he had practice squad eligibility at this point, with some of the new rules. He’s able to go on one of those two spots that are special spots for veteran players, and that’s a big plus for us.
“We’re really looking forward to getting a look at him and trying to incorporate him into our system.”
The Ravens also agreed to an injury settlement with defensive end DeAngelo Tyson (shoulder), who spent three years in Baltimore after being selected in the seventh round of the 2012 draft.
In other news involving former Ravens, offensive lineman Jah Reid officially signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and center Gino Gradkowski was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Falcons a day after being cut by the Denver Broncos. In April, Newsome traded Gradkowski and a 2016 fifth-round pick to Denver in exchange for the Broncos’ fourth-round choice next year.
