Hours before opening the 2024 season in Kansas City, the Ravens placed one of their rookie draft picks on injured reserve.
Fifth-round running back Rasheen Ali continues to deal with a neck stinger suffered in the preseason opener nearly four weeks ago, which limited him in practices this week and prompted Baltimore to list him as doubtful on the final Week 1 injury report. The Marshall product will now miss at least four games and won’t be eligible to return until the Week 5 meeting with Cincinnati.
To take Ali’s place on the 53-man roster, the Ravens signed inside linebacker Josh Ross from the practice squad. With versatile linebacker Malik Harrison expected to see action as the strong-side outside linebacker in the early-down base defense, Ross gives Baltimore additional inside depth and another viable option on special teams. He appeared in five games last season, which included both playoff contests.
The Ravens also elevated running back John Kelly and cornerback Ka’dar Hollman from the practice squad to play against the Chiefs. Kelly, 27, gives Baltimore a healthy No. 3 running back behind starter Derrick Henry and top reserve Justice Hill and will see some action on special teams. Hollman, 29, is an experienced special-teams player who provides more depth in the secondary, especially considering fourth-round rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa missed much of the preseason after undergoing sports hernia surgery in the spring.
Rookie third-round outside linebacker Adisa Isaac was ruled out with a hamstring injury on Wednesday.
Below were the inactives for Week 1:
BALTIMORE
DE Brent Urban
CB T.J. Tampa
S Beau Brade
WR Devontez Walker
C Nick Samac
OL Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
OLB Adisa Isaac
KANSAS CITY
OT Ethan Driskell
OL C.J. Hanson
DT Marlon Tuipulotu
TE Peyton Hendershot
WR Marquise Brown
