The Ravens apparently won’t be signing veteran offensive tackle Jake Long after all.
Despite the sides agreeing to a one-year deal pending a physical earlier in the week, the Ravens were concerned with the condition of Long’s right knee after he suffered ACL tears in 2013 and 2014. After being examined by Dr. James Andrews, the 31-year-old declined to sign an injury waiver and will instead remain a free agent, according to ESPN.
Head coach John Harbaugh had no news on Long’s status earlier in the day before the news broke.
“I don’t have an update on Jake,” Harbaugh said. “I haven’t heard. I’m waiting to talk to Ozzie [Newsome] actually and see where we’re at with that.”
Appearing in just seven games over the last two seasons, Long was viewed as a candidate to provide improved veteran depth behind 2016 first-round left tackle Ronnie Stanley. However, the Ravens did not want to take on the financial risk of his knee not holding up.
The Ravens would still like to add to a reserve group of offensive tackles that includes James Hurst, De’Ondre Wesley, and Blaine Clausell behind Stanley and starting right tackle Rick Wagner. Rookie Alex Lewis played tackle in college, but he has been working at guard since being selected by the Ravens in the fourth round of April’s draft.
