With kicker Billy Cundiff returning to action in Cincinnati on Sunday, it was only a matter of time for veteran Shayne Graham to find himself looking for a job.
The Ravens released Graham on Tuesday afternoon, a day after coach John Harbaugh said the team would keep Graham on the roster as long as they could. To replace the journeyman kicker on the 53-man roster, the Ravens promoted center-guard Justin Boren.
Wide receiver and return specialist Phillip Livas was signed to the Baltimore practice squad to assume Boren’s spot.
Plagued with a left calf injury since early December that forced him out of the Ravens’ Week 16 win over Cleveland, Cundiff made a 42-yard field goal and had two touchdbacks in the 24-16 win over Cincinnati that clinched the AFC North title. In making the move, the Ravens felt confident enough in the 2010 Pro Bowl kicker’s health to eliminate any lingering thought of a kicking controversey.
“As long as Billy is healthy, he’ll be our kicker,” Harbaugh said on Monday. “We were really fortunate that Shayne was available. We’ll hold on to Shayne as long as we can now, but if we have to make a roster move, obviously, that’s a direction we would go.”
Over the last two seasons, Graham has been unable to hold down a job but has filled in for injured kickers on several occasions, including Miami and Baltimore this season. Graham made field goals from 48 and 43 yards against the Browns on Christmas Eve.
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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“He did a great job,” Harbaugh said. “Why he’s not holding on to a job right now, I’m not sure, but we were very fortunate for him to be able to come in and fill that gap for us.”
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