Ravens Activate Nick Boyle
The Ravens offensive line will be getting some reinforcement. Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that the team has activated tight end Nick Boyle. The 23-year-old had been suspended for 10 games after violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. To make room on the roster, the team has waived cornerback Asa Jackson.
Boyle, a 2015 fifth-round pick, didn’t do much during his rookie campaign. The Delaware product ultimately played in 11 games (two starts), hauling in 18 catches for 153 yards. The tight end ended up missing the final month of his rookie season due to a four-game suspension.
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound tight end is better known for his blocking, and Zrebiec notes that Boyle will likely slide into the “blocking, No. 3 tight end role” while Crockett Gillmore recovers from his thigh injury. The Ravens also have tight ends Dennis Pitta and Darren Waller on the active roster.
Jackson, 26, was on his third stint with the Ravens. The former fifth-rounder has 18 career games under his belt, and he’s compiled 30 tackles and three passes defended. Jackson was promoted to the active roster in mid-November.
Nick Boyle Returns To Practice
- Ravens tight end Nick Boyle practiced Wednesday for the first time since the preseason, as Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun tweets. Boyle, whose 10-game suspension ended this week, has now served two bans since he entered the league as a fifth-round pick in 2015. He earned a four-game suspension last year for performance-enhancing drugs, which prematurely ended an 18-catch rookie campaign.
Bears Sign QB David Fales
The Bears are signing quarterback David Fales from the Ravens’ practice squad, a source tells Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). The move comes on the heels of Jay Cutler‘s shoulder injury, which could potentially shut him down for the season. 
Fales was a sixth-round pick of the Bears in 2014 under the previous regime. He was cut by Ryan Pace & Co. before this year’s 53-man deadline, but the team kept his number handy. He’ll now hold the clipboard for Matt Barkley. Depending on the severity of Cutler’s injury, there may be a place for Fales on the 53-man roster the rest of the way.
This has been a trying year for the Bears and things have only gotten worse for them this month. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was suspended four games for PEDs and, one week later, linebacker Jerrell Freeman suffered the same fate. In between those bans, tight end Zach Miller was ruled out for the season with a broken right foot and teammates reportedly lost faith in Cutler. Now, Cutler could be sidelined for the rest of the year, leaving Barkley and Fales at quarterback.
Nick Boyle Not Certain To Play With Ban Over
- The Falcons‘ deal with Ryan Schraeder cements the $6MM/year range for right tackles, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) opines. Now, he envisions a similar range for Marcus Cannon (Patriots), Riley Reiff (Lions), and Ricky Wagner (Ravens).
- Ravens tight end Nick Boyle’s suspension is now up, and the team will have one week to evaluate him before putting him on the 53-man roster, Jeff Zreibec of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter). The second-year tight end’s now been popped for two PED suspensions. He will return to practice this week, but John Harbaugh said (via Zreibec, on Twitter) it’s not certain he plays Sunday.
Ravens TE Nick Boyle's Suspension Ends Next Week
- Because Crockett Gillmore is dealing with an injury, the Ravens have continually added a tight end to their practice squad in recent weeks to ensure that they have enough bodies for practice sessions, as Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun notes (all Twitter links). Quarterback David Fales has been the victim in such scenarios, having been repeatedly dropped from the taxi squad to create room for a tight end. That series of transactions will likely end next week, per Zrebiec, as TE Nick Boyle will be eligible to return from a 10-game PED suspension.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/19/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: QB David Fales
- Cut: TE Austin Traylor
New York Giants
- Signed: QB Logan Thomas
Ravens Promote CB Asa Jackson
The Ravens announced that they have promoted cornerback Asa Jackson to the 53-man roster. His spot was cleared when Baltimore placed rookie defensive tackle Willie Henry on injured reserve. The Ravens also signed guard Jarrod Pughsley and tight end Austin Traylor to the practice squad while releasing quarterback David Fales. 
Jackson will help provide depth which Shareece Wright deals with a thigh injury. He may also be utilized on special teams where Devin Hester has coughed up the ball multiple times this year as a return. Jackson missed the 75-man cut in Arizona this summer, but he hopes to stick on the Ravens’ 53-man roster after being jostled around this year.
Henry, a fourth-round pick, is the third Ravens draft pick to be placed on IR this year. He was active for only one game this year.
The good news is that for all the injuries in Baltimore, the team did not announce that tackle Alex Lewis or guard Marshal Yanda are going to IR. Lewis suffered a high ankle sprain recently and was given a six week prognosis. Yanda, meanwhile, is dealing with a shoulder injury and an uncertain timetable for return.
Ravens’ Alex Lewis Out Six Weeks
The Ravens will be without an offensive lineman for six weeks. ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley reports that starting guard Alex Lewis will be out for the next month-plus as he recovers from a high-ankle sprain. Although there are only seven regular 
season games remaining, Hensley notes that the team isn’t planning on “immediately” placing the lineman on the injured reserve.
“There’s nothing imminent along those lines,” said coach John Harbaugh said. “We’re going to try to see where that goes in the next few weeks. Hopefully, we’ll get him back.”
The fourth-round pick out of Nebraska has started eights games for the Ravens this season, including four at left tackle and four at left guard. The team is struggling through injuries on their offensive line, as right guard Marshal Yanda has recently missed time with a shoulder injury. John Urschel filled in for Lewis during last week’s victory, although when Yanda returns, Vladimir Ducasse could keep his spot in the starting lineup. Ryan Jensen could also see some snaps during Lewis’ absence.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/10/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: QB David Fales (Twitter link via Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Khari Lee
- Cut: CB D’Joun Smith
Minnesota Vikings
- Cut: OL Sean Hickey
Ravens Try Out Two Tackles
- The Ravens auditioned offensive tackles Rob Crisp and Arturo Uzdavinis (via Twitter).