(Updated: 7 p.m.)
With Rashod Bateman going on injured reserve and Demarcus Robinson limited by a groin injury, the Ravens turned to the 35-year-old DeSean Jackson and practice-squad member Binjimen Victor for help at wide receiver against New Orleans on Monday night.
They also officially welcomed back starting strong-side outside linebacker Tyus Bowser, who was activated from the physically unable to perform list this past week.
Prior to the 4 p.m. roster deadline, Baltimore elevated Jackson and Victor from the practice squad to boost its depth at a position that didn’t begin the season with an abundance of proven options. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, the speedy Jackson signed to the Ravens’ practice squad in mid-October and was considered a strong bet to make his 2022 debut when head coach John Harbaugh announced Bateman would undergo season-ending foot surgery for a Lisfranc injury originally sustained on Oct. 2.
Of course, All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews (knee/shoulder) also being out for Week 9 created a greater need for pass-catching options with Jackson making clear this past week that he was ready whenever the Ravens called upon him.
“I’ve been doing this a long time. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here,” Jackson said. “I enjoyed my time back home this offseason and training camp. I decided to jump back into it. Anytime I’m into something, I put my all into it.”
Despite dealing with multiple injuries over his career, Jackson appeared in a combined 16 games for the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas last season, catching 20 passes for 454 yards and two touchdowns in 303 snaps. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound receiver has produced five 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his career with the most recent coming in 2016.
As expected after practicing fully all week, Bowser was active and set to make his return from the torn Achilles tendon sustained in the 2021 season finale last January. However, rookie outside linebacker David Ojabo was inactive, meaning the second-round pick’s NFL debut will wait until after the Week 10 bye.
Veteran inside linebacker Josh Bynes (quad) was a surprise scratch despite being a full practice participant and not carrying a game status designation on the final injury report. That was a clear sign that veteran newcomer and two-time second-team All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith was ready to play a full-time role after being acquired from Chicago before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
After being listed as doubtful on the final injury report, starting running back Gus Edwards (hamstring) was inactive for Monday’s game.
Victor, a 6-foot-4 Ohio State product, has been with the organization since 2021 and was making his NFL debut against the Saints. His elevation became necessary when Robinson, who caught a season-high six passes for 64 yards in the Week 8 win at Tampa Bay, sustained a groin injury late in the practice week and was listed as questionable on the final injury report. Robinson was active for Monday’s game, however.
Rookie fourth-round cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis was active for the first time since Week 3, snapping a streak of being a healthy scratch for five straight contests.
The Saints deactivated veteran slot receiver Jarvis Landry (ankle) after he was able to practice on only a limited basis this week. New Orleans had already ruled out four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) and former Ravens running back Mark Ingram (knee) over the weekend.
Below were the Week 9 inactives:
BALTIMORE
RB Gus Edwards
OLB David Ojabo
ILB Josh Bynes
WR Tylan Wallace
G Ben Cleveland
TE Mark Andrews
NEW ORLEANS
WR Jarvis Landry
RB Mark Ingram
CB Marshon Lattimore
G Wyatt Davis
TE Nick Vannett
