OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee wasn’t on the field as the Ravens practiced Thursday afternoon, but he was officially back in the fold before the end of the workout.
Less than 48 hours after being released as general manager Eric DeCosta tried to optimize the roster ahead of the start of the 2021 season, McPhee re-signed with Baltimore to fill out the 53-man roster in what was presumed to be the culmination of a handshake agreement. The Ravens needed temporary space in order to carry wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin on the initial roster before placing them on injured reserve and keeping them eligible for designations to return as soon as Week 4.
McPhee rejoins a group of outside linebackers already including Tyus Bowser, Justin Houston, Odafe Oweh, Daelin Hayes, and Jaylon Ferguson, which could prompt some interesting decisions on game days. Last season, the Ravens carried no more than five outside linebackers in any game with Ferguson or ex-Raven Jihad Ward being a healthy scratch multiple times over the second half of the season.
Having appeared in all but one game last season, the 32-year-old McPhee was considered the Ravens’ best run defender at the position and finished with 34 tackles, three sacks, and 15 quarterback hits. He was re-signed to a one-year, $1.212 million deal in March as Baltimore watched Matthew Judon, Yannick Ngakoue, and Ward depart via free agency. However, his 2021 role remains to be seen with the Ravens adding the four-time Pro Bowl selection Houston and two rookie draft picks to the mix.
There’s also the question of where Ferguson fits after a strong preseason secured his roster spot. His biggest strength at this point in his career overlaps with what McPhee does best.
“The thing you love about him — that you can take to the bank — is he’s going to set a dominant edge,” said outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins about the 2019 third-round pick. “Any time there’s a run at him, he’s knocking that back. He’s playing with great hands, he’s able to shed and make plays, and we saw that all camp. That’s grown from Year 1 to Year 2 to Year 3.”
Right guard Kevin Zeitler, defensive lineman Derek Wolfe (back), and cornerback Jimmy Smith (ankle) were the only members of the 53-man roster not present during the portion of Thursday’s practice open to reporters. The Ravens also confirmed re-signing wide receiver Devin Gray to the practice squad, joining fellow wide receivers Jaylon Moore and Binjimen Victor in that 16-man group that still has two open spots.
According to The Athletic, one of those is expected to go to veteran inside linebacker Josh Bynes, who had two previous stints with the Ravens and was last with the team for the 2019 season. The 32-year-old Bynes was released by the Carolina Panthers earlier this week.
With the preseason officially in the books, Ravens players will be off for the next three days before returning to the training facility Monday to continue preparations for the Sept. 13 season opener at Las Vegas.
“It’s time for business, of course,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “Whatever type of time they take to be with their families and just get the batteries charged right up is great, but the season is imminent.”
