Yannick Ngakoue returned to the Ravens in late September, and shortly after that, he discovered himself on the team’s active roster. Nonetheless, the veteran edge rusher’s time within the group might finish.
Ngakoue is being waived, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. All gamers let go after the commerce deadline are topic to waivers, placing them prone to being claimed by an staff. Ought to Ngakoue clear, although, Schefter notes the Ravens plan to retain him through a follow squad deal.
The 29-year-old had a quiet free-agent market earlier than electing to return to Baltimore early within the common season. Between gameday elevations and time spent on the 53-man roster, Ngakoue totaled 5 appearances; he recorded 1.5 sacks and 5 QB pressures over that span. Having logged solely a 25% snap share this season, the Maryland product’s restricted position might assist his probabilities of passing by unclaimed.
However, a number of groups have been linked to pursuing an edge rush addition earlier than this week’s commerce deadline. The Cardinals (Baron Browning), Lions (Za’Darius Smith) and Steelers (Preston Smith) all made strikes on that entrance. Different groups — such because the Falcons — have proven curiosity in that space, and with the Giants electing to retain Azeez Ojulari, the waiver wire represents the final remaining avenue (except for in-season free company, after all) for groups to make roster additions.
The choice to waive Ngakoue hours earlier than the beginning of Baltimore’s Thursday evening matchup signifies a corresponding roster transfer could possibly be coming. That would very nicely be the activation of operating again Keaton Mitchell; a Week 10 return had beforehand been pointed to by head coach John Harbaugh, and NFL Community’s Mike Garafolo famous Thursday morning an activation could possibly be in play (video link). Certainly, the second-year again practiced in full this week, resulting in the expectation he’ll debut Thursday, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
After signing with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent, Mitchell didn’t make his NFL debut till Week 6 final season. Throughout his transient interval within the lineup, the East Carolina product flashed appreciable potential with a yards-per-carry common of 8.4. An ACL tear ended his promising rookie marketing campaign, and he has remained on the PUP record since roster cutdowns.
The Ravens opened Mitchell’s practice window simply over two weeks in the past, so he doesn’t must be activated in time for Thursday’s matchup with the Bengals. If that does happen, the 22-year-old will look to hitch a backfield that has loved appreciable success in 2024, with Derrick Henry and Justice Hill main the way in which.
