Ravens send Dixon, T. Young to IR, keep McSorley in roster cut to 53

The Ravens set their initial 53-man roster for the 2019 season by placing two notable players on season-ending injured reserve and keeping three quarterbacks for just the second time in the last 10 years.
Slot cornerback Tavon Young had hoped to return later this season from a serious neck injury, but the fourth-year defensive back was placed on IR Saturday, meaning he isn’t eligible to receive one of Baltimore’s two designations to return. Earlier this month, the Ravens medical staff recommended surgery to correct the disc problem and allow Young to resume his career without any lingering concern next season, but the organization gave him time to weigh his options.
Running back Kenneth Dixon was also placed on IR, a move that likely ends his frustrating run with the Ravens. Media and fans had debated the talented and oft-injured Dixon’s future throughout the offseason as he entered the final year of his rookie contract, but it remains unclear what exactly prompted his placement on IR after he rushed 13 times for 66 yards in Thursday’s preseason finale. Dixon had been hobbled at a few points during the summer — including during the final preseason game — but he had been healthy enough to practice pretty consistently during training camp.
For the second consecutive year and only the second time in the last decade, head coach John Harbaugh has three quarterbacks on his initial 53-man roster as the Ravens chose to keep rookie sixth-round pick Trace McSorley. Harbaugh had already stated the organization’s desire to keep McSorley around, but it remained unclear whether general manager Eric DeCosta would risk trying to pass him through waivers and sign him to the practice squad.
The most notable names from a lengthy list of cuts were defensive tackle Willie Henry and cornerback Maurice Canady, who had both played prominent roles in the past and were entering the final year of their rookie contracts. News of Henry’s departure broke Friday after a disappointing preseason, but the Ravens had hoped another team might trade a late-round pick for his services. Meanwhile, Canady had pushed through some nagging injuries this summer and was a victim of the numbers game with Baltimore already having seven cornerbacks on the 53-man roster.
For the 16th consecutive season, the Ravens have kept at least one rookie free agent on the 53-man roster with inside linebacker Otaro Alaka and offensive lineman Patrick Mekari both making the team after good summer showings. All eight members of their 2019 draft class are on the 53-man roster, but injured cornerback Iman Marshall could still be a candidate for IR with the potential to return later in the season, a move that would create a spot for another player like released veteran safety and special-teams standout Brynden Trawick.
Defensive end Zach Sieler, Ozzie Newsome’s final draft pick as general manager last year, was waived after a quiet preseason. Running back De’Lance Turner was also cut, but he appears to be a prime candidate to be re-signed to the practice squad where he can serve as an insurance policy behind Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill on the active roster.
Below is the full list of moves made to trim the Baltimore roster to 53 players:
Players waived
LB Aaron Adeoye
OT Marcus Applefield
CB Terrell Bonds
CB Maurice Canady
ILB E.J. Ejiya
RB Tyler Ervin
FB Christopher Ezeala (international exemption for practice squad)
DT Willie Henry
TE Cole Herdman
S Bennett Jackson
WR Sean Modster
P Cameron Nizialek (injury settlement)
ILB Donald Payne
G R.J. Prince
TE Charles Scarff
DE Zach Sieler
RB De’Lance Turner
WR Antoine Wesley
DT Gerald Willis
Vested veterans released
CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste (injure settlement)
S Brynden Trawick
Injured reserve
OL Randin Crecelius
RB Kenneth Dixon
ILB Alvin Jones
DB Fish Smithson
CB Tavon Young