Tag: James Hurst

Ravens cut OL James Hurst

The Baltimore Ravens have cut backup guard and tackle James Hurst, freeing up an estimated $2.75 million on the 2020 salary cap.

The Baltimore Ravens might have something against anyone with the last name “Hurst” at this point. After agreeing to a deal to trade tight end Hayden Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons, the Ravens announced they have released offensive lineman James Hurst.

According to Over The Cap, a pre-June 1 cut would free up $2.75 million on Baltimore’s 2020 salary cap. A post-June 1 cut would free up $4 million but carry $1.25 million in dead money into the 2021 season.

Hurst was signed to a four-year deal prior to the 2018 season after playing well at guard in 2017. However, Hurst struggled at right tackle in 2018 and eventually lost the starting job to Orlando Brown.

Still, the decision to cut Hurst is a shocking one. Though he’s suspended for the first four games of the 2020 season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, Hurst was thought to be Baltimore’s top backup offensive lineman at both guard and tackle. With Marshal Yanda’s retirement this offseason as well, cutting Hurst puts a pretty big dent in the Ravens’ depth chart.

With Hurst being cut, Andre Smith is the only backup tackle Baltimore has on their roster after re-signing him to a one-year deal this offseason.

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Ravens OL James Hurst suspended 4 games for performance enhancing drugs

Baltimore Ravens backup offensive lineman James Hurst will miss the first four games of the 2020 NFL season after his suspension for PEDs

The Baltimore Ravens will have to find a primary backup on the offensive line to begin the 2020 season. The Ravens announced in a press release that offensive lineman James Hurst has been suspended by the NFL for the first four games of next season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. This is the first suspension of Hurst’s six-year career.

This suspension could be the answer to why Baltimore re-signed Andre Smith to a one-year contract last week. Hurst is the Ravens’ most experienced and versatile backup, having played at both guard and tackle over his career in Baltimore. The Ravens likely wanted an affordable experienced tackle behind both Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown Jr. in case of injury while Hurst is suspended, with Smith fitting the billing perfectly.

Hurst missed six games in 2018 with a back injury, the first missed games of his NFL career. He’s started a total of 44 games in his career, playing both guard and tackle, including 28 starts over the last three seasons.

While suspended, Hurst can participate in all preseason practices and games. He’ll be eligible to return to Baltimore’s active roster on the Monday following the Ravens’ fourth game.

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7 potential cap casualties for the Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens could choose to cut any or all seven of these players in order to free up more room on their 2020 NFL salary cap.

The Baltimore Ravens now turn to the offseason in preparation for the 2020 NFL regular season. The Ravens are set to have plenty of salary cap next season but will also have to figure out how to handle their 21 pending free agents. A few big contracts could push Baltimore to look at their current roster for some players who have higher cap hits but little dead money as potential cap casualties.

Using Over The Cap, we took a look at the Ravens’ potential cap casualties this offseason. That’s not to say any or all of these players will actually be cut but that they have the largest cap savings, making them more tempting. If all seven of these players were cut, Baltimore could have as much as $67 million in cap space for 2020.

CB Brandon Carr

AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Carr has started every game for the Ravens over the past three seasons and been a consistent force in the secondary. But despite the team’s success in 2019, it was not a banner year for Carr. He gave up 11.6 yards per completion as well as five touchdowns in coverage. He had only six passes defended and no interceptions, his lowest number since 2015.

Carr was used more at safety this season thanks to the addition of Marcus Peters to the combo of Jimmy Smith and Marlon Humphrey. He still found plenty of playing time but is clearly not the starting outside cornerback he once was.

The Ravens can save $6,000,000 by releasing Carr. Though it wouldn’t be shocking to see Baltimore cut him only to re-sign him to a more cap friendly deal to finish out his career.

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