With an open spot and several injuries in the secondary, the Ravens re-signed cornerback and 2012 fifth-round pick Asa Jackson to their practice squad on Tuesday.
Jackson, 26, spent this offseason and summer with the Arizona Cardinals before being cut in the final week of the preseason. The weekend promotion of rookie linebacker Patrick Onwuasor to the 53-man roster created the opening on the Baltimore practice squad.
With cornerbacks Jimmy Smith (concussion) and Jerraud Powers (hamstring) both leaving Sunday’s game with injuries and Shareece Wright and Tavon Young also banged up in the 27-23 loss to the New York Giants, Jackson provides another potential option with knowledge of the defense and an ability to return kicks. In 18 career games over four seasons, Jackson has collected 30 tackles and three pass breakups.
The Cal Poly product entered the 2015 preseason as the favorite to be the Ravens’ return specialist, but issues with ball security led to his release before the start of that season. After a brief stint with the New York Giants, Jackson was re-signed to the practice squad and eventually promoted to the 53-man roster to appear in four games. An ankle injury led to the Ravens waiving him with an injury settlement last November.
In addition to the various stops over the last two years, Jackson has twice been suspended for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy over his five-year career.
