Ravens place Arrington, Watson on IR to begin trimming roster

(Updated: 5:30 p.m.)
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens began trimming their roster to the league-mandated 75-man limit a day ahead of Tuesday’s deadline by placing cornerback Kyle Arrington and tight end Benjamin Watson on injured reserve.
Watson going to IR was a formality after he suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in Saturday’s preseason win over Detroit, but Arrington hadn’t practiced since sustaining a concussion in the preseason opener on Aug. 11. After accepting a pay cut in the offseason, the 30-year-old defensive back was competing for a reserve role in the Baltimore secondary.
“Kyle has had a tremendous career, and what he decides to do going forward will be based on if he wants to move forward or move on to the rest of his life with his family,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “Those are decisions that guys make, and Kyle will make the right decision. I have so much respect for him as a player and a person. He is a family man. He is one of the best people you’ll get a chance to meet in this league.”
The Ravens cut nine other players to reduce the current roster to 79 players. That list was headlined by veteran linebacker Kavell Conner and also included quarterback Jerrod Johnson, wide receivers Chuck Jacobs, Dobson Collins, and Darius White, offensive linemen Jarrell Broxton and Anthony Fabiano, linebacker Mario Ojemudia, and defensive tackle Trevon Coley.
Baltimore has four more moves to make before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
“When you spend an hour and a half talking to the guys that you release this morning — and every personality, every situation is a little bit different — guys are incredibly disappointed,” Harbaugh said. “But oftentimes, [they’re] incredibly grateful and hopeful. You just can’t help but be grateful to walk into the meeting room with the team and be a part of this.
“It doesn’t last forever. Nothing lasts forever for anybody.”
Returning to the practice field for the first time since their latest preseason game, the Ravens were dealing with a few new absences as running backs Kenneth Dixon (knee) and Buck Allen and center Jeremy Zuttah were not present during the portion of the workout open to reporters. According to ESPN, Dixon is expected to miss four weeks of action after suffering a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee in the first half of Saturday’s game.
Other absences from Monday’s practice included nose tackle Brandon Williams, defensive backs Lardarius Webb (back), Kendrick Lewis, Jerraud Powers, and Matt Elam (knee), linebacker Za’Darius Smith (ankle), guard John Urschel (contusion), tight ends Dennis Pitta (finger) and Maxx Williams, running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot), and defensive end Bronson Kaufusi (broken ankle).