The Ravens leaned on familiarity to formulate their practice squad Sunday by re-signing 11 players who were part of the organization during the preseason.
Headlining the list were cornerback Maurice Canady and defensive end Zach Sieler, two former Baltimore draft picks. The oft-injured Canady, a 2016 sixth-round selection, appeared in 19 games with the Ravens over the last three seasons before falling victim to the numbers game at cornerback this summer. Sieler was Ozzie Newsome’s final draft pick as general manager, but the 2018 seventh-round pick was active for just two games last season and had a disappointing summer. With Chris Wormley being the only true 5-technique defensive end on the 53-man roster, Sieler serves as a nice insurance policy for a defensive line short on numbers.
The Ravens also re-signed running back De’Lance Turner, who spent four games on the active roster last season and led the team with 144 rushing yards this preseason. With only three running backs on the active roster and Kenneth Dixon now on injured reserve, Turner will remain on call for what’s expected to again be a run-heavy offense this season.
Inside linebacker Donald Payne brings experience to the practice squad after appearing in 21 games for Jacksonville the last two seasons. Baltimore also re-signed wide receivers Antoine Wesley and Sean Modster, offensive linemen Marcus Applefield and R.J. Prince, tight end Charles Scarff, and outside linebacker Aaron Adeoye.
The Ravens also re-signed fullback Christopher Ezeala, who again receives a roster exemption as a part of the International Player Pathway program after spending last season on the practice squad.
After being waived by the Ravens, running back and return specialist Tyler Ervin and long snapper Matthew Orzech were claimed by Jacksonville while safety Bennett Jackson was claimed by the New York Jets. Former Ravens kicker Kaare Vedvik was also claimed by the Jets after being waived by Minnesota Saturday.
