Ravens waive WR Williams, begin forming practice squad

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OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens were back on the practice field Sunday after formulating their 53-man roster but already made a notable change to the group traveling to Denver to take on the Broncos in Thursday’s opener.
Third-year wide receiver LaQuan Williams was waived after initially making the 53-man roster on Saturday. He suffered a hamstring injury early in the final preseason game and wasn’t present for practice Sunday before the Ravens announced the roster move. The Ravens designated Williams as waived-injured in the official transaction, meaning he will receive an injury settlement from the organization.
In two seasons with the Ravens, the Poly graduate and Baltimore native caught four passes for 48 yards and appeared in 23 games primarily as a special-teams contributor. Originally an undrafted free agent out of the University of Maryland in 2011, Williams was one of the feel-good stories of the last few years as a local product getting to play for the team he grew up rooting for.
As for Sunday’s practice, defensive linemen Arthur Jones (personal health issue) and Brandon Williams (undisclosed), wide receiver Deonte Thompson (foot), offensive lineman Ryan Jensen (foot), and tight end Dennis Pitta (hip) were all absent during the portion of practice open to the media. Jensen and Pitta remain on the 53-man roster despite rehabbing from long-term injuries.
Jones hasn’t practiced since the third preseason game, which is concerning with him being a starting defensive tackle throughout the preseason. Coach John Harbaugh said last week that the “personal health thing” was not serious but declined to reveal any other details.
The good news for the Baltimore front seven was the return of pass-rush specialist Pernell McPhee to the practice field for the first time in nearly two weeks. McPhee had been dealing with a knee injury that forced him out of the final two preseason games of the summer.
The first injury report of the week will not be released until Monday.
Baltimore also announced the signing of seven players to its practice squad as tight end Matt Furstenburg, safety Omar Brown, offensive linemen Reggie Stephens, Jordan Devey, and J.J. Unga, defensive lineman Cody Larsen, and linebacker Brandon Copeland are all rejoining the organization after being waived at the end of the preseason. This was by design, according to Harbaugh.
“We’re really hopeful that that’s the case,” Harbaugh said before the signings were announced. “We would like for all the guys, as much as possible, on the practice squad to be guys who were here with us [in the summer].”
The practice-squad players received a slow clap from the players on the regular roster as they jogged onto the practice field as Harbaugh shouted, “Congratulations! Now, get your butts out here!”
The Ravens had one spot remaining Sunday afternoon after they learned running back Bobby Rainey was claimed by the Cleveland Browns. The organization had hoped to re-sign him to the developmental squad after a good preseason.
Former Ravens receiver Tommy Streeter was also picked up by the Buffalo Bills to join their practice squad after he was waived last Sunday.