On the same day six players were reinstated from the reserve-COVID-19 list, the Ravens officially added a three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver to the mix for Sunday’s game against Indianapolis.
Less than two weeks after signing with Baltimore’s practice squad, Dez Bryant was elevated Saturday and poised to play in his first NFL game since the end of the 2017 season. The 32-year-old has practiced with the Ravens for each of the last two weeks and apparently made a strong enough impression to make his 2020 debut against the Colts, especially after rookie wide receiver Devin Duvernay was added to Friday’s injury report with a thigh injury.
When asked about Bryant after Friday’s practice, head coach John Harbaugh offered no indication that the former Dallas Cowboy’s debut was imminent.
“When we feel like he’s ready to come up, in shape, knows the offense well enough and has enough compatibility with Lamar [Jackson] on enough plays, then we’ll bring him up,” Harbaugh said. So, when it happens — I think it will happen — I don’t think it’s something you want to force-feed in there. We’ll just have to see as we go.”
The Ravens hope Bryant can provide a red-zone presence and a spark for an offense that entered the weekend ranked 31st in the NFL in passing yards per game and 21st in yards per passing attempt. In his final season with the Cowboys in 2017, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound wideout caught 69 passes for 838 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games, but Bryant had three straight 1,200-yard receiving seasons from 2012-14 and has caught 73 touchdowns in his career.
Despite concerns even a few years ago about knee, foot, and ankle injuries having impacted his ability to separate from defenders — a perception that wasn’t helped after he tore his Achilles tendon days after signing with the New Orleans Saints two years ago — Bryant drew praise from Jackson earlier this week.
“He’s a great route runner. He has strong hands. He’s dialed in into the playbook,” Jackson said. “He’s always asking me questions about the playbook — stuff like that. He wants to compete. I just can’t wait until he gets out there with us on Sundays.”
Bryant will finally have that opportunity after a near-three-year wait.
In other Saturday roster news, the Ravens officially activated Patrick Queen, DeShon Elliott, L.J. Fort, Tyus Bowser, Terrell Bonds, and Malik Harrison from the reserve-COVID-19 list after they all received a negative virus test result for the fifth straight day on Saturday. However, Fort was added to the injury report and ruled out for Sunday with a finger injury that hadn’t previously been disclosed.
With open roster spots to replace left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and right guard Tyre Phillips after they were placed on injured reserve this week, the Ravens promoted Bonds and inside linebacker Kristian Welch from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Veteran wide receiver Chris Moore was also placed on IR after sustaining a thigh injury during practice this week.
Baltimore also elevated safety Geno Stone from the practice squad to be able to play against the Colts on Sunday.
