After acquiring a Pro Bowl defensive player ahead of each of the previous two trade deadlines, general manager Eric DeCosta and the Ravens stood pat at Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
With the NFL Players Association tracking the Ravens as having just $1.4 million in salary cap space, an impactful deal coming together was always going to be challenging without getting creative with a trade partner. Baltimore acquired three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters from the Los Angeles Rams two years ago and former Pro Bowl edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue from Minnesota last season, but those moves came with more flexible salary cap situations.
On Monday, head coach John Harbaugh didn’t sound like someone expecting a standout deal to take place.
“You never know; things happen fast. We have our team, [and] I really like our team,” Harbaugh said. “We have everything we need on our team right now, but if we can be improved and if it’s mutually beneficial to both teams, you’re excited about something like that. But I’m not really counting on it. We’re just getting ready for the Vikings right now, and as coaches, that’s what we’re focusing on.”
Though not making any trades on Tuesday, the Ravens hope to add more depth to their secondary in the near future by designating cornerback Chris Westry to return to practice. One of the surprises of training camp, Westry has been on injured reserve since hurting his knee in the season-opening loss to Las Vegas, a game in which he played 33 defensive snaps. He joins tight end Nick Boyle and defensive end Derek Wolfe as IR players now practicing and nearing a return to game action.
Though unable to upgrade their offensive line at the trade deadline, the Ravens haven’t closed the the door on the possibility of offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James being able to play later this season. James, 29, sustained a torn Achilles tendon in early May and was subsequently released by Denver. Baltimore signed the 6-foot-6, 315-pound lineman to a two-year deal in June, an addition made with more focus on the 2022 season.
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James remains on the reserve non-football injury list.
“It’s still the same time frame. He would have a chance in December probably — I guess,” Harbaugh said. “There’s been no setbacks. He looks good. I see him walking around. He’s in the meetings. He’s got great spirits. He’s been running straight ahead. It’s November already. Time flies, right?”
The Ravens protected guard James Carpenter, offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, linebacker Joe Thomas, and tight end Eric Tomlinson on their practice squad for Week 9. They also reached an injury settlement with offensive tackle Andre Smith, who had been placed on the practice squad IR on Monday. The 34-year-old appeared in five games this season.
