Ravens trade rookie center Easton to San Francisco

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — As they counted down to Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline to pare the roster to 53 players, the Ravens returned to the practice field with all healthy members of their 70-man roster on Saturday morning.
But before practice had concluded, Baltimore traded rookie free agent center Nick Easton to the San Francisco 49ers for an unspecified draft pick. As the media viewing portion of practice was wrapping up, head coach John Harbaugh was speaking with the undrafted free agent as ESPN first reported the Ravens were working on a trade. Easton played well in the preseason — grading out as Pro Football Focus’ top center in the NFL — but Baltimore’s numbers on the interior line made him a long shot to make the 53-man roster.
“Nick could have made our team, too, if we didn’t have as much depth,” Harbaugh said. “I think [the 49ers] might have had an injury at center. We have guys like that. Those are the type of guys you try to develop first and foremost for your team. When you have a need, they’re there for you, and we want to develop those guys.”
Wide receiver Breshad Perriman (knee), defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (knee), cornerback Rashaan Melvin (undisclosed), offensive lineman John Urschel (undisclosed), defensive linemen DeAngelo Tyson (shoulder) and Micajah Reynolds (undisclosed), linebacker Zach Thompson (concussion), running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (knee), and defensive end Brent Urban (biceps) were not present during the portion of practice open to media. Urban remains a clear candidate to be placed on injured reserve with the designation to return, a move that cannot happen until Sunday at the earliest.
Tight end Maxx Williams (upper body) continued to practice in a red non-contact jersey after Harbaugh said earlier in the week that he is expected to be ready for the season opener in Denver on Sept. 13.