Category: Free Agency

Lamar Jackson returns to Ravens practice ahead of game vs. Broncos in Week 9

Lamar Jackson returns to Ravens practice ahead of game vs. Broncos in Week 9

The Ravens will play two games in four days, and after two days of rest, Lamar Jackson returned to practice on Friday.

Head Coach John Harbaugh said Jackson got a “rest day” on Wednesday, though he was officially listed with a back/knee injury designation.

Following Sunday’s game against the Broncos, the Ravens have a short turnaround before facing the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night, then the Pittsburgh Steelers the following Sunday.

Jackson hasn’t missed a game due to injury since the end of the 2022 season.

Defensive end Broderick Washington (knee), defensive tackle Travis Jones (ankle), and defensive end Brent Urban (concussion) are all not practicing Thursday. With nose tackle Michael Pierce (calf) going on IR earlier this week, the only healthy defensive lineman on the 53-man roster is Nnamdi Madubuike.

Injuries to key DBs highlight Ravens’ struggles with pass defense in loss to Browns

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware they could exploit the secondary.

Those who call the NFL a league of parity (not “parody,” OMG! That common malapropism drives me insane) could certainly point to today’s 29-24 win by the Cleveland Browns over the Baltimore Ravens.

Worst beat first in the AFC North division as Baltimore’s five-game win streak ended, as did Cleveland’s five-game losing skid.

Jameis Winston, who many football pundits have declared “washed” for some time, finished 27 of 41 passing for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions while leading the Browns’ offense to heights that had not been seen under their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson this season.

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware the secondary was a position group that could potentially be exploited.

And things worsened for Baltimore even before a single pass was thrown, as Nate Wiggins (illness), Marlon Humphrey (ankle), and T.J. Tampa (IR) were all ruled out.

More change was still to come in the defensive backs position group, as Marcus Williams was benched for being largely ineffective this season. The Ravens’ pass defense has been a persistent problem this year, but it’s not as bad as it may seem.

Baltimore is so stout against the run that opponents consistently find themselves having to rely on their passing attacks heavily. Also, the Ravens entered the day in first place, with a 5-2 record, and teams with winning records tend to find themselves ahead, and even well ahead, most of the time.

And what do you do when you’re behind, often well behind?  You pretty much have to pass.

So, while today was undoubtedly a shocking surprise defeat, all is not lost.

2025 NBA free agent rankings: The best players available next summer

HoopsHype ranks the top NBA free agents set to b available in the summer of 2025, including LeBron James, Jimmy Butler and more.

The 2025 free agent class was hyped as potentially the strongest since 2019, thanks to a speculated salary cap surge from a new TV rights deal. However, the NBA and the players’ union capped salary increases at 10 percent annually to avoid a drastic spike like in 2016. Additionally, players can now earn more through extensions, narrowing the financial difference between extending and testing free agency. This change has seen players favor extensions to avoid market uncertainties.

Still, some elite names are going to be free agents, proven stars like LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram and more. Check out the full list of top 2025 NBA free agents below.

Saints looking at free agent Super Bowl champ to replace injured WR

Marquez Valdes-Scantling is coming to New Orleans for a workout. The Saints have a type in their post-Davante Adams wide receiver search

The New Orleans Saints have been actively searching for a wide receiver over the last month. Rashid Shaheed’s season-ending injury makes this a much larger need, as Chris Olave is your only reliable receiver in the room.

New Orleans was aggressive in their approach for Davante Adams and have reportedly showed interest in veteran wide receiver Mike Williams.

After dabbling in the trade market, the Saints have taken a new route and are looking at free agents. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is flying into New Orleans for a workout Sunday night, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The Saints were also one of the leaders for the wide receiver in 2022 free agency before he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Valdes-Scantling won a couple of Super Bowl rings with the Chiefs but was let go when his contract outweighed his production. He recently played for the Buffalo Bills, but they cut him after trading for Amari Cooper.

The way the season is going, the Saints will have early picks in each round of the 2025 draft. Free agency feels like the better choice opposed to departing with anything more than a late-round pick doesn’t feel the best idea.

The most notable quality Valdes-Scantling brings is the ability to stretch the field. It’s the same trait as Mike Williams. It’s the biggest trait they lost in Rashid Shaheed, and they’re clearly looking to replace it.

Ravens TE Charlie Kolar has fun with the media after his career day

There were many wild aspects in this game, including who some of the heroes were, like Ravens third string tight end Charlie Kolar.

Baltimore Ravens fans can now sit back and exhale after watching a victory for which the word “wild” would be a gross understatement.

With 7:16 left in the 4th quarter, ESPN’s win probability index had the Cincinnati Bengals at 90.9%.

However, the only win probability index that matters is when the game goes final, and in the end, the Ravens prevailed 41-38 in overtime.

Another wild aspect of this one is who some heroes were, like third-string tight end Charlie Kolar.

He had a career day, catching three balls for 64 yards, including a touchdown. 

When asked to comment on his longest grab of the day, a 55-yarder in the middle of the third quarter, he told the media: 

“They get so worried about Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely that they forget about the fat white guy.”

He then added: “I’m not going to answer anything seriously, I can’t after this one.”

Entering the day, the fourth-round draft pick in 2022 only had 11 catches for 136 yards for his entire career. So this was a “breakout game,” to say the least.

“It was beautiful,” Kolar said of the thrilling, high-scoring victory.

Ravens sign a veteran linebacker ahead of Week 5 matchup vs. Bengals

the Ravens signed linebacker William Kwenkeu to their practice squad.

The Baltimore Ravens announced two roster moves on Tuesday. The team cut running back John Kelly from the practice squad, and signed veteran linebacker William Kwenkeu to the practice squad.

Kwenkeu signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent out of Temple in 2022 but was released by the team in March.

Kwenkeu played in six games as a rookie.