With a recent shortage of camp depth at the running back position, the Ravens signed rookie free agent Ty’son Williams to their 80-man roster on Friday.
The BYU running back was originally linked to Baltimore as a reported undrafted addition in the spring, but he was never officially signed. Williams suffered a torn ACL last September after rushing 49 times for 264 yards and three touchdowns in only four games with the Cougars.
The 220-pound running back previously played at South Carolina and North Carolina, rushing for a total of 856 yards and five touchdowns over his first three collegiate seasons.
The top of the Baltimore depth chart at running back remains fine with 2019 Pro Bowl selection Mark Ingram, rookie second-round pick J.K. Dobbins, and the bruising Gus Edwards, but neither Justice Hill nor Kenjon Barner have practiced over the last week, leaving the Ravens light at the position from a camp perspective.
Ten players were missing from Thursday’s practice that was open to media, but it’s unclear whether some chose not to participate amidst the current social justice protests across the sports world.
“We don’t have any long-term issues right now,” said head coach John Harbaugh about the team’s injury picture on Friday. “I think a number of those guys — the younger guys — might scrimmage tomorrow. You should see everybody practicing next week.”
In addition to Hill and Barner, players not practicing Thursday included cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Josh Nurse, outside linebacker Matthew Judon, defensive tackle Brandon Williams, right guard D.J. Fluker, defensive back Anthony Levine, wide receivers Chris Moore (finger) and Jaleel Scott (midsection). Cornerback Anthony Averett left Thursday’s practice early with an apparent injury.
Asked specifically about the status of Peters, Fluker, and Averett, Harbaugh said he expected all three to be back practicing next week.
The Ravens must cut their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Sept. 5.
