The Ravens made a roster move less than 24 hours before their Sunday meeting with the Cleveland Browns by cutting wide receiver Deonte Thompson and promoting running back Fitz Toussaint from the practice squad.
The move likely stems from starting running back Bernard Pierce being listed as questionable with a thigh injury on the final injury report of the week. Pierce was added to the injury report Thursday after practicing on a limited basis, but the third-year back was a full participant on Friday, an encouraging sign for his status.
Should Pierce be limited or unable to play against Cleveland, the Ravens would be looking at veteran Justin Forsett, 2014 fourth-round pick Lorenzo Taliaferro, and the rookie free agent Toussaint as their backfield options. Forsett has led the Ravens in rushing through the first two weeks of the season, gaining 126 yards on 19 carries for a 6.6 yards per attempt average.
Thompson made the 53-man roster as the Ravens kept seven wide receivers to start the season, but he was inactive in each of the first two games after scoring three touchdowns in the preseason. Toussaint turned heads with a strong performance in the preseason finale last month and gained 123 yards on 21 carries over the summer.
Toussaint was elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster the day before the season opener against Cincinnati but was inactive for the game. He was then cut a day later as the Ravens claimed defensive tackle Christo Bilukidi off waivers from the Bengals.
