On Saturday, the Baltimore Ravens made a flurry of roster moves. No players were added or dropped from the roster, but the Ravens moved personnel into and out of injury status lists. In doing so, Baltimore placed fourth-year offensive guard, Alex Lewis on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, while also moving fourth-year defensive tackle Michael Pierce to the non-football injury (NFI) list, and removing undrafted rookie wide receiver, Jaylen Smith, from that list.
The oft-injured Alex Lewis now faces the grim reality that he is entering training camp unable to play with stiff competition around him. The Baltimore Ravens drafted Ben Powers in the fourth round of this year’s draft, and are looking to see massive improvement out of the second year interior lineman, Bradley Bozeman. But the competition does not end there. All are surprised to see Jermaine Eluemunor perform at a high level during the offseason program. The 2017 fifth-round pick is poised to make a run at seizing Alex Lewis’ left guard position.
Michael Pierce’s injury designation is less jeopardizing but is still an issue nonetheless. Pierce entered the offseason program overweight and was immediately targeted by head coach, John Harbaugh. Harbaugh pulled Pierce out of practice once he noticed the state of his best defensive tackle. It is not clear what injury prompted the Ravens to place him on the list, but it could be related to his weight troubles.
Finally, the Ravens removed Jaylen Smith from the same list that the team placed Michael Pierce on. Being placed on the NFI list was a major setback for Smith, the former Louisville Cardinal, who is trying to make the Ravens roster. But, by being removed from the list, Smith has the opportunity to compete in training camp and throughout the preseason. Smith will need to play at a high level throughout the offseason if he wants to rekindle his chemistry with Lamar Jackson and become a fixture of the Ravens offense.
UPDATE: Sunday, July 21, 2019 – 8:58 PM
The Baltimore Ravens have taken Michael Pierce, fellow defensive tackle, rookie, Daylon Mack, and rookie outside linebacker, Jaylon Ferguson off the NFI list. They will be ready to participate in the first training camp practice on Thursday.
