Ravens Sign OT Austin Howard
The Ravens will sign former former Raiders offensive tackle Austin Howard, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Howard was released by Oakland one week ago.
It’s a three-year deal worth$16MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. The deal includes team options after each year with $5.5MM coming to him in the first season. At the end, Howard was down to the Ravens and Texans after also visiting Houston. 
The deal marks something of a homecoming for Howard, who once was a part of the Ravens’ practice squad. He can expected to compete with James Hurst for the starting right tackle job. If he falls short, he can be used as a swingman off of the bench to bolster the depth on both the interior and exterior of the line. Then again, with a contract like this, the Ravens are probably anticipating that he’ll be with the first unit.
Howard was slowed by an ankle injury in 2016 and is coming off of a down year in terms of performance. Still, he offers far more experience than Hurst and could be a decent starter if he’s healthy. Hurst has just 16 career starts versus Howard’s 72 starts in 76 career appearances.
Overall, this hasn’t been a great offseason for the Ravens’ offensive line. The team lost right tackle Ricky Wagner to free agency, center John Urschel to retirement, and guard Nico Siragusa to a season-ending knee injury. Baltimore hopes that the addition of Howard will help offset its major losses.
Austin Howard Visiting Ravens
Free agent offensive tackle Austin Howard is in Baltimore visiting the Ravens, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). The Sun’s Mike Preston first reported Baltimore’s interest in Howard last week.
Given the attrition they’ve faced up front since the end of last season, the Ravens are known to be on the lookout for offensive line help. It’s no surprise, then, that they’re pursuing Howard, one of the most accomplished blockers available. He’d somewhat help cover for the departure of right tackle Ricky Wagner, who signed a mega-deal with the Lions in free agency. Baltimore’s O-line also lost center John Urschel to retirement earlier this summer, and interior rookie Nico Siragusa suffered a season-ending knee injury this week.
For the moment, the Ravens are counting on right tackle James Hurst – he of 16 career starts – to line up opposite No. 1 left tackle Ronnie Stanley. The 30-year-old Howard brings far more experience, having notched 72 starts in 76 appearances over six seasons spread among the Eagles, Jets and Raiders.
Howard battled an ankle injury during an 11-game campaign last year in Oakland, where he started 10 times and ranked a below-average 52nd in performance among Pro Football Focus’ 77 qualified tackles. The Raiders released Howard last week, which came with two seasons remaining on the five-year, $30MM deal he signed with them in 2014.
Ravens Seeking O-line Help
In the wake of John Urschel‘s retirement and Nico Siragusa‘s season-ending knee injury, the Ravens’ top priority is to add to their offensive line, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. General manager Ozzie Newsome has discussed trades with other teams, reports Zrebiec, who points out that free agency could be a tough route to take because the Ravens don’t have much cap room. Further, while the Ravens showed interest in free agent center Nick Mangold during the offseason, there are questions as to whether the 33-year-old is committed to continuing his career, relays Zrebiec. Notably, Mangold indicated in May that he could retire.
Ravens Interested In QB Aaron Murray
Earlier this week, coach John Harbaugh told reporters that the team is casting a wide net as it looks into the possibility of adding another quarterback. While he and GM Ozzie Newsome are reportedly pushing team owner Steve Bisciotti to add Colin Kaepernick, the team is also looking into some less-heralded options as well. The Ravens have interest in bringing in quarterback Aaron Murray, sources tell Dianna Russini of ESPN.com. 
[RELATED: Harbaugh, Newsome Want To Add Kaepernick]
Murray, the Chiefs’ fifth-round pick in the 2014 draft, was cut loose by KC before the 2016 season. Since then, he has had stints with the Cardinals, Eagles, and Rams, but he has yet to throw a pass in an NFL game and has been out of work since his release from L.A. in May.
The attention being paid to Murray will certainly irk those who would rather see the Ravens take a look at Kaepernick. On Tuesday, Murray signed on with CBS to work as an announcer on college football games, so it’s not even clear whether Murray is 100% committed to continuing his playing career.
Ravens Coach, GM Pushing For Kaepernick?
Both Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and GM Ozzie Newsome support the idea of signing quarterback Colin Kaepernick, sources tell Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Russini hears they have met resistance from owner Steve Bisciotti, but Newsome issued a statement on Wednesday to try and counter those claims:
“We are going through a process, and we have not made a decision. Steve Bisciotti has not told us we cannot sign Colin Kaepernick, nor has he blocked the move. Whoever is making those claims is wrong,” the unusual statement read.
Recently, Bisciotti and team president Dick Cass publicly acknowledged their trepidation in signing Kaepernick, with Bisciotti adding that he wasn’t sure the QB would help the team “win games.” The team’s coach and GM apparently feel that Kaepernick can be a difference maker.
Recently, some of the team’s locker room leaders also voiced their support for adding Kaepernick.
“Hell yeah, if he’s going to help us win,” linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “We have no issues. Not in the locker room. Hell yeah, we want him.”
The Ravens are taking a hard look at their backup quarterback situation as Joe Flacco deals with a back injury and Ryan Mallett struggles in practice. There is some good news on that front, however. A source with knowledge of the situation tells Mike Florio of PFT that he is feeling better, with the “arrow [pointing] up.”
Photo via Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.
Ravens OL Nico Siragusa Done For Season
The injury curse has struck the Ravens once again, as rookie offensive lineman Nico Siragusa will miss the 2017 season after tearing his ACL, MCL, and PCL today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Siragusa becomes the seventh key player Baltimore has lost for the season since June 1, as Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun indicates (Twitter links). Tight ends Crockett Gillmore and Dennis Pitta, running back Kenneth Dixon, and cornerback Tavon Young have all suffered serious injuries, tight end Darren Waller was suspended for the season, and offensive lineman John Urschel retired. This string of bad luck is beginning to cause a roster crunch for the Ravens, as injured non-vested veterans can’t be placed on injured reserve without being risked to waivers, tweets Zrebiec.
Siragusa, a San Diego State product, was selected with the 122nd overall pick in this year’s draft. Despite his rookie status, he’d been projected to start on a Ravens interior offensive line that is extremely short on talent aside from right guard Marshal Yanda. Baltimore’s remaining options at guard are nearly all as inexperienced as Siragusa, as players such as Jarell Broxton, Jarrod Pughsley, and Jermaine Eluemunor are all either rookies or second-year pros. Alex Lewis, a 2016 draft pick, currently looks like the favorite to take over at left guard.
If the Ravens decide to scan the open market for interior solutions, they’ll find a number of veterans who could offer serviceable play. Nick Mangold has been linked to Baltimore for some time, and could conceivably play either guard or center, allowing the Ravens to configure their line with flexibility in mind. Other free agent options include Austin Pasztor, Alvin Bailey, Tre’ Jackson, Khaled Holmes, and Austin Howard, the latter of whom reportedly piques Baltimore’s interest.
Harbaugh: We're Looking At All QBs
After talk of the Ravens considering Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III dominated the news cycle, coach John Harbaugh is trying to reel everything in.
For what it’s worth, RG3 has reportedly fallen off of the team’s radar after the team considered giving him a tryout. The possibility of adding Kaepernick, meanwhile, still looms large after the Ravens’ owner and team president both confirmed their interest in him. The Ravens are looking carefully at their backup quarterback situation in light of Joe Flacco’s back injury, but they’re also dealing with an increasingly dire situation at tight end.
While the Ravens scramble for answers on offense, here’s a look at the latest from around the NFL:
Ravens’ Crockett Gillmore Done For Season
Ravens tight end Crockett Gillmore had surgery on his MCL and is likely going to miss the season, the team announced. Gillmore’s recovery timetable is five months, meaning that he cannot realistically think about getting back on the field until 2018. 
[RELATED: Ravens No Longer Considering RG3?]
The Ravens were hoping that Gillmore would only need a “trim” to his meniscus rather than a full repair. A trim could have allowed Gillmore to return mid-season, but the severity of his tear left him with only one option.
The Ravens signed former Giants tight end Larry Donnell earlier this week, giving them a bit of extra padding at tight end. So far this offseason, the position has been ravaged by injuries and other events. Dennis Pitta was cut after suffering a likely career-ending injury and Darren Waller is suspended for the full season. Maxx Williams and Ben Watson, meanwhile, are recovering from injuries of their own.
Gillmore, 25, had 33 catches for 412 yards and four touchdowns in 2015. Last year, back and knee injuries limited him to just seven games.
Ravens No Longer Considering RGIII
Although the Ravens considered bringing in Robert Griffin III for a workout, the free agent quarterback is no longer on Baltimore’s radar, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. The Ravens are still assessing other signal-callers, including Colin Kaepernick, per Hensley.
Baltimore is on the hunt for another option under center while starter Joe Flacco deals with a back injury. Head coach John Harbaugh recently labeled Flacco “day-to-day,” but the Ravens still want another quarterback on the roster, especially given the struggles of incumbent backup Ryan Mallett. Although Baltimore swapped out David Olson for Josh Woodrum earlier today, that move isn’t expected to affect the team’s search for a more established quarterback.
For Griffin, meanwhile, his dalliance with Baltimore marks the second time in the past week he’s been unfruitfully linked to a club with a quarterback need. RG3, who’s reportedly been generating “minor interest,” worked out for the Chargers last week but is unlikely to sign after Los Angeles acquired Cardale Jones from the Bills. The Seahawks also considered Griffin earlier this year, but ultimately went with Austin Davis instead.
As the Ravens continue to seek another quarterback, free agent options such as Christian Ponder, Shaun Hill, and Zach Mettenberger could potentially come into play.
AFC North Notes: Ravens, Kaep, Browns
Ravens decision makers aren’t sure about whether to sign Colin Kaepernick, but some of the team’s most vocal veterans say they’d welcome the quarterback, as ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley writes.
“Hell yeah, if he’s going to help us win,” Suggs said. “We have no issues. Not in the locker room. Hell yeah, we want him.”
Defensive back Lardarius Webb, who is in his ninth season in Baltimore, also says that he’d like to see Kaepernick join the team and spice up the backup quarterback competition. While sponsors and fans of the Ravens might not be crazy about Kaepernick, it doesn’t sound like the players would have any issues with the QB and his political activism.
Here’s more from the AFC North:
- Browns left tackle Joe Thomas isn’t necessarily thinking about retirement, but it’s something he’ll consider after the 2017 season. “It’s hard to say [how much longer I’ll play],” Thomas said (via ESPN.com’s Tony Grossi). “I’m lucky enough to be standing here after completing 10 years in my career, which was longer than I expected to play when I was a rookie. “I’ll re-evaluate things after the season. To me, the questions become do I still love it, am I still good enough to have a spot, and am I still healthy enough. Those are always the things I ask myself and if those are all yes I’ll keep playing, and if for some reason they’re no, then I’ll stop playing.” Thomas is signed through 2018 and due to make non-guaranteed salaries in each of the next two years.
- Browns head coach Hue Jackson says safety Ed Reynolds will miss significant time with a knee injury, though he did say that it is not a torn ACL (Twitter links via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal). Reynolds currently projects as Cleveland’s starting free safety, so the Browns may want to look into signing a defensive back if he has to miss regular season games.
- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he could retire after the 2017 season.
- The Bengals‘ kicking competition is starting to take shape.