After veteran nickel cornerback was activated from injured reserve, the Baltimore Ravens secondary, which was highly anticipated going into the season due to its depth and quality, is finally getting one of its important players back.
The eighth-year veteran returns to a Ravens secondary that has been heavily criticized in the media for its tendency to give up big plays after missing the first seven games of the season due to knee and hamstring issues.
The 21-day timeframe for him to be added to the active roster or placed back on season-ending injured reserve was coming to a close when he initially returned to practice on October 2. Prior to the Ravens’ next Football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in primetime, which they won 41-31, he participated fully in Saturday’s practice.
Since three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who has been the first player to bump inside to the nickel slot in three-plus receiver sets, may be struggling with a slight injury, the 31-year-old’s comeback couldn’t have come at a better time for the Ravens. Humphrey was taken to the locker room prior to halftime after recording two significant interceptions in the first half, and he did not play again in the second half. Although head coach John Harbaugh did not have a formal diagnosis following the game, he thought the setback was not “too serious.”
Humphrey was in the locker room after the game, moving freely, and he was in the same positive frame of mind as his head coach said when he took to social media for his usual Instagram live session following a victory. Their already strong defensive backfield is further strengthened by Maulet’s return, regardless of how long he misses. Humphrey will alternate with fourth-year pro Ar’Darius Washington, an experienced player fresh off a stellar year.
Maulet had his greatest season to date last season, as he looked completely at home in Baltimore and was a potent weapon in the slot as a blitzer and in coverage. The Ravens re-signed the former undrafted free agent to a two-year contract this summer after he played in 14 games and had 37 total tackles, including 32 solos and five for a loss, two sacks, three quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries, five pass breakups, and one interception.
Up until now, Maulet had been held back and restricted by a knee ailment he sustained during training camp that necessitated arthroscopic surgery. When the Ravens travel to play the floundering Cleveland Browns in an AFC North divisional game in Week 8, he will have the opportunity to make his 2024 regular season debut.
The team also cut Josh Ross, an inside linebacker, to clear space on the roster for him. Having played entirely on special teams and collecting five tackles, including three solos, on 138 snaps, the 2022 undrafted free agent had made an appearance and seen action in all seven games this season.
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