Ravens Place G Ben Cleveland On IR
After being carted off the field during the Ravens’ comeback win Monday night, Ben Cleveland will miss time. The rookie guard is now on IR.
Cleveland suffered a knee injury against the Colts and becomes the 16th Raven on IR. The Ravens have used Cleveland, a third-round pick this year, and Ben Powers in a rotation at left guard in recent weeks. Cleveland tweeted Tuesday he received positive news on his knee injury, so it appears possible he could return this season.
A Georgia product, Cleveland did not play in Week 1 but was active for Week 2 after Tyre Phillips suffered an injury in Baltimore’s opener. Cleveland and Powers have rotated in the games since, but the Ravens do have Phillips close to returning. They designated Phillips, who started opposite Kevin Zeitler in Week 1, to return from IR. His return should commence soon.
The Ravens have managed to get to 4-1 despite losing most of their optimal backfield and having played without Phillips and All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley for the past four games.
Saints Sign K Brian Johnson Off Bears’ Practice Squad
Following Cody Parkey‘s injury, the Saints will have a third kicker in three games. Brian Johnson looks set to succeed Aldrick Rosas and Parkey.
The Saints are signing Johnson off the Bears’ practice squad, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The team expressed interest in Ravens practice squad kicker Jake Verity, per NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill, but a Verity injury led the team to go with Johnson (Twitter link).
By rule, Johnson joining the Saints off the Bears’ P-squad will require his new team to carry him on its 53-man roster for at least three games. Parkey is now off New Orleans’ roster, having been placed on IR Monday. Parkey suffered a pulled groin during pregame warmups and struggled attempting to play through the injury.
A Virginia Tech alum, Johnson has not yet kicked in a regular-season NFL game. Johnson succeeded Joey Slye as the Hokies’ kicker, serving in that role with the ACC program from 2018-20. He made 20 0f 26 field goals as a senior. The Bears initially cut Johnson but kept him on their practice squad shortly after cutdown day. Although Wil Lutz is slated to return in the not-too-distant future, Johnson is set for an opportunity in New Orleans.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/12/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: CB Luq Barcoo, WR Josh Doctson
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Parker Hesse
- Released: K Elliott Fry, OLB George Obinna
Baltimore Ravens
- Suspended six games (PEDs): T Adrian Ealy
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OL Austen Pleasants
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: RB Elijah Holyfield
Cleveland Browns
- Activated off practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Tim Harris
- Signed: T Alex Taylor
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR John Brown (story) CB Rojesterman Farris
- Released: WR Josh Malone, LB Avery Williamson (story)
Houston Texans
- Signed: OL Cole Tonerm
- Released: DB Shyheim Carter
Indianapolis Colts
- OT Greg Senat, DT Antwaun Woods
- Placed on IR: S Ibraheim Campbell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB Kerrith Whyte, OL Jared Hocker, WR Josh Imatorbhebhe
- Released: OL Austen Pleasants, RB Wendell Smallwood, WR Devin Smith
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: RB Elijah McGuire, LB Darius Harris
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: QB Kyle Sloter
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Travis Fulgham
New Orleans Saints
- Released: OT Derrick Kelly, LB Wynton McManis
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Dru Samia
- Released: S Sheldrick Redwine
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DT Isaiah Mack
- Released: NT Eli Ankou
Ravens Activate WR Miles Boykin
Miles Boykin is back. The Ravens announced today that they’ve officially activated the wideout from injured reserve. The 24-year-old was designated to return in late September.
[RELATED: Ravens Designate Rashod Bateman, Miles Boykin For Return]
The 2019 third-round pick had appeared in all 32 regular season games (with 24 starts) for the Ravens between 2019 and 2020. The wideout hauled in 32 receptions for 464 yards and seven touchdowns through those two seasons, and he added another six receptions in three playoff games. Boykin was sidelined by a hamstring injury during training camp, leading to his IR stint.
Boykin will provide Lamar Jackson with another target, and he’ll join a depth chart that currently includes Marquise Brown, Sammy Watkins, James Proche II, Devin Duvernay, and Tylan Wallace.
The Ravens will presumably get additional reinforcement when first-round pick Rashod Bateman returns. The wideout was designated for return at the same time as Boykin, but his return will apparently be delayed.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/11/21
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: OT Andre Smith, DB Jordan Richards
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated for return: C Ethan Pocic
Ravens Receiving Trade Interest On RBs
The Ravens are receiving trade inquiries on their running backs, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Their revamped backfield currently features second-year pro Ty’Son Williams plus veterans Latavius Murray, Devonta Freeman, and Le’Veon Bell. 
[RELATED: Ravens Elevate RB Le’Veon Bell]
The Ravens’ position group was decimated by injuries to J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill just before the start of the season. Now, their replacements are drawing interest from teams in advance of the November 2 trade deadline.
Through four games, the Ravens have averaged 164.5 rushing yards per contest, good for fourth in the league. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is responsible for much of their ground game success, but Williams has also impressed with 164 rushing yards and a touchdown off of 27 carries — good for a 6.1 ypc average. Freeman, in a much smaller sample of six attempts, has averaged 6.8 yards per tote. Meanwhile, Murray has three rushing TDs to lead the team.
They’ll all look to advance the Ravens to 4-1 tonight when they face the Colts in Baltimore.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/9/21
Here is Week 5 Saturday’s minor move spree:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: OL Danny Isidora, TE Ross Travis, CB Jace Whittaker
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from IR: CB Kendall Sheffield
- Promoted: WR Juwan Green, CB Chris Williamson
- Waived: TE Parker Hesse
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated for return: G Tyre Phillips
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: S Kenny Robinson, RB Rodney Smith
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from IR: LB Anthony Walker
- Promoted: DE Joe Jackson, DB Jovante Moffatt
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: FB Nick Ralston, TE Jeremy Sprinkle
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: WR Tyrie Cleveland
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: TE Shane Zylstra
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: OL Marcus Cannon
- Promoted: QB Jeff Driskel, WR Chris Moore
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: QB Brett Hundley
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: K Matthew Wright
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from IR: LB Willie Gay
- Promoted: DE Demone Harris
- Waived: LB Darius Harris
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from IR: CB Ryan Smith
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: DT Raekwon Davis
- Promoted: WR Isaiah Ford, DE Jabaal Sheard
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: G Dakota Dozier, CB Parry Nickerson, CB Tye Smith
- Waived: WR Dan Chisena
New England Patriots
- Promoted: DB Myles Bryant, OL James Ferentz, OL Alex Redmond, G William Sherman
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted: OL Jordan Mills, WR Kenny Stills
- Released: DT Christian Ringo
New York Giants
- Promoted: T Korey Cunningham
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: LB Blake Cashman
- Promoted: S Jarrod Wilson, TE Kenny Yeboah
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: T Le’Raven Clark
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: S Karl Joseph, WR Cody White
- Released: G Rashaad Coward
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: WR Travis Benjamin, TE Tanner Hudson, QB Nate Sudfeld
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from IR: OLB Cam Gill
- Promoted: TE Codey McElroy, DB Rashard Robinson
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: WR Marcus Johnson
- Promoted: S Jamal Carter, DL Caraun Reid, LB John Simon
- Waived: LB Sharif Finch
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/4/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: G Shaq Calhoun
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DB Mazzi Wilkins
- Released: DB Linden Stephens
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Matt Cole
- Released: DB Jalen Julius
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Lawrence Cager
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DB J.R. Reed
- Released: OL Jared Hocker
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: WR Whop Philyor
Ravens Elevate RB Le’Veon Bell
Le’Veon Bell‘s Ravens debut could be coming soon. The team elevated the former All-Pro running back to its active roster Saturday, doing so while placing Derek Wolfe on IR.
Amid a brutal run of injuries at running back, the Ravens worked out Bell shortly before Week 1 and signed him to their practice squad. Baltimore promoted Devonta Freeman ahead of the ex-Steelers star but now will have Bell on its active roster as well in Week 4.
Bell joins Freeman, Ty’Son Williams and Latavius Murray on Baltimore’s 55-man Week 4 roster. Teams can dress up to 48 players each week. The Ravens have gone with a committee approach at running back, using Williams and Murray mostly. Freeman has seen sporadic work behind the team’s top duo.
To label Bell’s past three-plus years as underwhelming would be quite the understatement. Following Bell’s 2018 full-season holdout, the lucrative Jets deal he inked failed spectacularly. The Jets dropped Bell midway through last season. While the Chiefs picked him up, Bell saw scant action in the playoffs and was a healthy scratch for both the AFC championship game and Super Bowl LV. The Ravens extended the two-time All-Pro another chance, however, and Bell will likely soon begin his age-29 season.
Wolfe has not played this season and will miss his Denver homecoming game. The eight-year Broncos starter signed with the Ravens in 2020 and played in 14 games, but back and hip injuries have sidelined him since August. The veteran defensive lineman will be out through at least Week 6.
Baltimore also elevated tackle Andre Smith and cornerback Kevon Seymour from its practice squad, with Smith being named a COVID-19 roster replacement for Jaylon Ferguson, who will miss a second straight game after having tested positive. The Ravens did not activate receivers Rashod Bateman or Miles Boykin.
Ravens’ Lamar Jackson Returns To Practice
Lamar Jackson returned to practice on Friday morning (Twitter link via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com). It’s a promising sign for the Ravens quarterback, who was absent on Wednesday and Thursday with a back injury. 
[RELATED: Latest On Ravens’ Ronnie Stanley]
Jackson has been dealing with “a little back flare-up,” according to Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Fortunately, it sounds like he’s on track to face the Broncos this week. He’s never missed a game due to injury before, but he’s also taken a ton of tackles in 2021 — 44 hits, more than any other QB this year.
The Ravens, who allowed Jackson to take four sacks on Sunday, will need to fix that going forward. He’s always the lifeblood of the Baltimore offense, but his health is arguably more important than ever with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards out. Through three games, Jackson leads the team with 251 rushing yards, good for fourth in the entire league.
Tyler Huntley will get the call if Jackson suffers any setbacks. But, as of this moment, it sounds like the 2019 MVP will be ready to face the 3-0 Broncos.