The Baltimore Ravens had previously agreed to terms with veteran offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, but they made the deal official, announcing it on Twitter.
Fluker had been released by the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, entering free agency. He’ll join a Ravens roster that will see competitions for multiple starting jobs along the interior of the offensive line. Right guard is the job most clearly up for grabs after Marshal Yanda retired this offseason, but general manager Eric DeCosta also said left guard and center will see competition in training camp as well.
While Baltimore has Ben Powers likely penciled in for the starting job at right guard, Fluker has the experience to make a push there as well. As a former first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and with seven years in the league, Fluker is the most experienced player on Baltimore’s offensive line behind backup tackle Andre Smith. Fluker also has played at tackle, giving the Ravens another potential backup option for Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown Jr.
Fluker’s signing had likely been held up as Baltimore waited for the offensive lineman to pass a physical. Teams have struggled to get physicals done with states enacting stay-at-home restrictions in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The Ravens, like most NFL teams, have agreed to terms with players with deals being made official when physicals were done and passed. However, Baltimore has also seen one deal — for defensive tackle Michael Brockers — get canceled due to concerns that arose with a physical.
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