Tag: Malik Harrison

WATCH: Ravens coach John Harbaugh on Malik Harrison’s increased snaps at linebacker

Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh says Malik Harrison has earned his increase snaps and vital role in Ravens defense

The Ravens re-signed one in free agency this past spring, inking linebacker Malik Harrison to a one-year deal. The team expected Harrison to offer value and versatility as an edge rusher and inside linebacker.

That role has increased recently, with Baltimore benching Trenton Simpon and giving Harrison and Chris Board more snaps. As a result, Harrison has become a reliable run defender who can rush the passer while also being stout in pass coverage.

While addressing the media on Monday, head coach John Harbaugh gave insight into Harrison’s increased role.

Over the past four games, Harrison has 29 tackles (two for loss), including a career-high 13 in a win over the Chargers in place of an injured Roquan Smith. 

Harrison played a team-high 73 snaps in that win and has been in the lineup since.

Harrison has played 269 snaps (33%) this season,, and that number should continue to rise as Baltimore starts to hit its stride on defense.

WATCH: John Harbaugh gives some insight into Trenton Simpson’s lack of playing time

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh explains why Trenton Simpson was benched for Malik Harrison

Trenton Simpson took baby steps in 2023, hoping to replace the departed Patrick Queen at the linebacker spot opposite Roquan Smith. The former Clemson linebacker got off to a strong start, but he’s seen his play time diminish significantly over the past month.

Simpson, who started the first 13 games this season, played just five snaps in Baltimore’s 35-14 win over the Giants. In the Ravens’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 1, the 2023 third-round pick logged just 22 snaps.

In the Week 13 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, he was on the field for 30 snaps.

On Monday, head coach John Harbaugh gave some insight into Simpson’s lack of playing time.

Harbaugh said they are hoping to take some pressure of ILB Trenton Simpson, who didn’t play until late in the game yesterday. “He’s a young guy. He can take a breath a little bit.”

Veteran linebackers Malik Harrison and Chris Board have seen significant increases in their snap counts, which will continue with Simpson becoming a liability in the passing game.

NFL Week 16: Zach Orr is systematic, Ravens rank No. 3 in total sacks

Baltimore Ravens DC Zach Orr is catching stride at the right time of the season and his unit rank No. 3 in the NFL in total sacks.

Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr is beginning to catch stride at the right time of the season. Using a shell coverage to beguile defenses, the Ravens allow just 20.3 points over their last three games.

Orr’s defense also ranks third in the NFL in total sacks this season. The Ravens picked up three sacks in their victory over the New York Giants in Week 15. With seven quarterback hits and seven pass deflections, the Ravens’ defense held the Giants to a 16 percent conversion rate on 12 third-down conversion attempts.



Linebacker Malik Harrison led the flock with eight tackles and tallied in one of the team’s three sacks mentioned above. Moving forward, Orr needs his unit to remain disciplined versus the run as he slowly deploys combo coverage packages that may lead to turnovers down the stretch. 

With defensive back Nate Wiggins coming into his own, the Ravens may be able to play more man coverage and approach games with a pass rush that complements their high-scoring offense.

Orr’s ability to yield sacks and tackles for loss will be pivotal to the team’s success as the Ravens prepare for the postseason. As the successor to Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald, Orr has been nothing less than fantastic. 

Is Roquan Smith playing today? Injury updates for Ravens All-Pro linebacker

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith practiced fully on Friday and is on track to play against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13

The Ravens are set for a monster matchup against the Eagles this afternoon, and their leading tackler is set to return to the lineup.

Roquan Smith practiced on Friday and should start at middle linebacker after missing the win over the Chargers with a hamstring injury.

Smith’s presence will be needed as the league’s third leading tackler, and the NFL’s two best running backs will take center stage as Saquon Barkley (1,392 yards) and Derrick Henry (1,325) continue their battle for the rushing title.

The Eagles are 7-0 when Barkley rushes for over 100 yards.

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Is Roquan Smith playing today? Injury updates for Ravens All-Pro linebacker

The Ravens are set for a monster matchup against the Eagles this afternoon, and their leading tackler is set to return to the lineup.

Roquan Smith practiced on Friday and should start at middle linebacker after missing the win over the Chargers with a hamstring injury.

Smith’s presence will be needed as the league’s third leading tackler, and the NFL’s two best running backs will take center stage as Saquon Barkley (1,392 yards) and Derrick Henry (1,325) continue their battle for the rushing title.

The Eagles are 7-0 when Barkley rushes for over 100 yards.

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The Ravens are set for a monster matchup against the Eagles this afternoon, and their leading tackler is set to return to the lineup.

Roquan Smith practiced on Friday and should start at middle linebacker after missing the win over the Chargers with a hamstring injury.

Smith’s presence will be needed as the league’s third leading tackler, and the NFL’s two best running backs will take center stage as Saquon Barkley (1,392 yards) and Derrick Henry (1,325) continue their battle for the rushing title.

The Eagles are 7-0 when Barkley rushes for over 100 yards.

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Roquan Smith injury update: Will Ravens All-Pro linebacker play vs. Eagles in Week 13?

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith practiced fully on Friday and is on track to play against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13

The Ravens are set for a monster matchup against the Eagles on Sunday, and their leading tackler is set to return to the lineup.

Roquan Smith practiced on Friday and should start at middle linebacker after missing the win over the Chargers with a hamstring injury.

Smith’s presence will be needed, and the NFL’s two best running backs will take center stage as Saquon Barkley (1,392 yards) and Derrick Henry (1,325) continue their battle for the rushing title.

The Eagles are 7-0 when Barkley rushes for over 100 yards.

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Ravens vs. Broncos: Top photos from Baltimore’s 41-10 win in Week 9

Top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 41-10 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 9 at M&T Bank Stadium

Denver entered the game 5-3 with the NFL’s third-ranked defense, but the Baltimore offense shredded them, as Vance Joseph’s defense surrendered 396 yards and five touchdowns on the afternoon.

The Ravens are 6-3 after a 41-10 win over the emerging Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium.

Here are the top photos from the win.

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Lamar Jackson finished with perfect passer rating as Ravens demolish Broncos 41-10

Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson finished with a perfect passer rating in Week 10 as the Ravens defeated the Broncos 41-10

The Ravens spent all week talking about removing the taste of an ugly loss to the Browns in Week 8. John Harbaugh’s team responded solidly, dominating the upstart Broncos 41-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.

Denver entered the game 5-3 with the NFL’s third-ranked defense, but the Baltimore offense shredded them, as Vance Joseph’s defense surrendered 396 yards and five touchdowns on the afternoon.

With talk about Josh Allen potentially winning MVP, Jackson completed 16 of 19 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday, marking his fourth perfect passer rating.

Derrick Henry finished with 101 yards rushing and two touchdowns, moving past Barry Sanders for 10th on the all-time touchdowns list and going over 1,000 yards for the sixth time in his career.

Zay Flowers had another 100-yard game, finishing with 127 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

On defense, Zach Orr’s unit surrendered 319 yards, including 197 passing and, most importantly, just ten points.

Baltimore will now prepare for Cincinnati on a short week and Amazon’s Thursday Night Football.

5 Ravens players facing make-or-break seasons in 2024

After an exciting offseason, things are quiet at the Under Armour Performance Center. Baltimore’s players are off until the start of training camp, which this year comes early. Rookies report on July 13, and veterans report on July 20. The Ravens …

After an exciting offseason, things are quiet at the Under Armour Performance Center.

Baltimore’s players are off until the start of training camp, which this year comes early. Rookies report on July 13, and veterans report on July 20.

The Ravens will look to use the disappointment from the AFC Championship game loss to the Chiefs as motivation for a 17-game marathon in the toughest division in the NFL. Baltimore has plenty of players who’ll need to step up, and we’re looking at five players facing make-or-break seasons.

Ojabo, a former second-round pick, was an obvious choice for this list, as he has been limited to five games over his first two seasons.

Still, he offers pass rush prowess, and Baltimore could struggle to lead the NFL in sacks again.

The defensive tackle started five games after signing a three-year contract extension in the offseason, but his defensive snap rate dropped from 52 percent to 38 percent to 33 percent over the last three weeks.

Washington had 12 tackles and a fumble recovery in 2023 and will be counted on to replace Clowney’s production.

The 24-year-old cornerback landed on injured reserve in December and has struggled to stay on the field throughout his two-year NFL career, appearing in just 12 of Baltimore’s 32 games.

The Alabama product has been solid on special teams and could break out in 2024.

Harrison, who was re-signed to a one-year deal this offseason, will battle Trenton Simpson for Patrick Queen’s inside linebacker spot.

The 6-foot-3, 259-pound hybrid can play the edge and play on the inside at linebacker. He played in 14 games last season, including eight starts, and made 20 tackles. He has made 120 tackles over his four-year career and played in all but six games.

The 2021 third-round pick has played well when given the opportunity, but he’s never been able to lock down a starting spot. Baltimore has two offensive guard spots open and now is Cleveland’s best shot.

You can never have enough wide receiver talent, and if the season started today, Baltimore would have a solid trio in Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor, and Rashod Bateman.

Tylan Wallace is a special teams standout, and Deonte Harty has been a Pro Bowl return specialist. Ryan could be the odd man out after a strong 2023 training camp.

Ravens rookie pass rusher Adisa Isaac named one of the “Elite” round 3 picks by PFF

The Baltimore Ravens added more depth at the outside linebacker position by selecting Penn State’s Adisa Isaac with the No. 93 overall pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Isaac was labeled one of the three “Elite” picks from the third …

The Baltimore Ravens added more depth at the outside linebacker position by selecting Penn State’s Adisa Isaac with the No. 93 overall pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Isaac was labeled one of the three “Elite” picks from the third round by PFF.

Isaac was a productive pass rusher at the collegiate level, racking up 11.5 sacks in his final two seasons as a Nittany Lion. Isaac will join former teammate Odafe Oweh now with the Ravens to round out an outside linebacker group consisting of Kyle Van Noy, David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson, and Malik Hamm.

The Ravens will need to fill the sizeable void left by veteran outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney after he departed to sign with the Carolina Panthers in free agency. Isaac will have an opportunity to earn playing time early on in first-year defensive coordinator Zachary Orr’s defense.