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.

Ravens vs. Chargers: Roquan Smith needs rest so DC Zach Orr must tweak

Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith is listed as questionable, DC Zach Orr will need to make adjustments vs. the Los Angeles Chargers.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith is questionable for the week 12 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. At 7-4, the Ravens might want to roll the dice and suit Smith up, but they badly need to let him rest and recover, especially as the team prepares for a late-season stretch.

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Ravens’ defensive coordinator Zach Orr has done his best to adjust for the many digressions within his unit depth chart, and Smith has been his anchor. With 101 total tackles, Smith leads the Ravens on defense, but his vocal leadership and pre-play decipher ability will be crucially missed by Orr tonight.

Running back J.K. Dobbins’s physicality poses a massive problem for the Ravens’ defense without Smith. Perhaps linebacker Trenton Simpson can show himself vital by assuming the Mike position. Safety Kyle Hamilton will need to apply himself as an underneath cover man for the Chargers’ tight ends and additionally play as run support.


Attrition may be the deciding factor for the Ravens on the road tonight. If the Ravens’ offense continues to struggle, the defense will be forced to hold steady on the road, where physicality and the Chargers’ might become too much to bear.

Ravens fall to 7-4 as offense sputters in 18-16 loss to Steelers in Week 11

Ravens fall to 7-4 as offense sputters in 18-16 loss to Steelers in Week 11

Lamar Jackson will have to wait a few weeks to get that much-needed win over the Steelers after the Ravens sputtered in neutral for most of the afternoon in an 18-16 loss to Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium.

The NFL’s No. 1 ranked quarterback in QBR, Jackson was 16-33 passing for 207 yards (6.3 avg), one touchdown, one interception, and a 66.1 rating, the lowest of this season.

Jackson had four carries for 46 yards, while Derrick Henry was held to 65 yards (5.0 avg) on 13 carries and one rushing touchdown, tying the single-season franchise record for touchdowns.

Zach Orr’s maligned defense held Pittsburgh to 4-16 on third downs and 303 total yards, but Pittsburgh held the football for 36:22, compared to Baltimore’s 23:38.

The Steelers held the Ravens ‘ top-ranked offense to 329 yards and just 124 yards rushing. Justin Tucker’s two missed field goals will further magnify the two-point loss. On the day, Tucker was 1-3 on field goal attempts, while Steelers kicker Chris Boswell was a perfect 6-6, including a 57-yard field goal.

Baltimore will quickly regroup before a massive Monday night matchup against Jim Harbaugh and the 6-3 Los Angeles Chargers.

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Top photos from the Ravens 35-34 win over the Bengals on Thursday Night Football

Top photos from the Ravens 35-34 win over the Bengals on Thursday Night Football

Underused pass catcher Tylan Wallace had three catches for 115 yards (38.3 avg) and one touchdown, including an 84-yard catch and run that resulted in Lamar Jackson’s longest touchdown pass of his career, as Baltimore held on for a 35-34 win at home on Thursday night. Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase almost spoiled the Purple Rising party, as the former LSU star logged 11 catches on 17 targets for 264 yards (26.4 average) and three touchdowns, with a long of 70 yards for a touchdown.

In another near-perfect performance, Jackson was 25-33 passing for 290 yards (8.8 avg), four touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 141.4 rating. His AFC North rival, Joe Burrow, did his part for the Bengals, hanging in the pocket as he went 34-56 passing for 428 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

The Ravens defense allowed 470 yards, as Cincinnati was 8-16 on third downs.   Baltimore was sloppy on the night, with 11 penalties for 81 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.

Ravens vs. Bengals: Top photos from Baltimore’s 41-38 win in overtime at Paycor Stadium

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 41-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime at Paycor Stadium in Week 5

Lamar Jackson and company rallied from a late fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime with a 56-yard field goal from Justin Tucker. In overtime, the Bengals recovered a Jackson fumble but could not win it after Evan McPherson missed a 56-yard field goal of his win.

At one point in the fourth quarter, Joe Burrow was 27-for-34 for 353 yards and five touchdown passes, while former college teammate Ja’Marr Chase had nine catches for 174 yards and two scores.

Burrow finished 30-39 passing for 392 yards, five touchdowns, and one costly interception. His MVP counterpart, Lamar Jackson, was 26-42 passing for 348 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson also had 12 carries for 56 yards on the day.

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Joe Burrow dominates early, but Ravens rally for a 41-38 win over Bengals in overtime

Joe Burrow dominates early, but Ravens rally for a 41-38 win over Bengals in overtime

After a week of pundits and experts questioning Joe Burrow’s demise, the former LSU star put the NFL back on notice with a dominant, five-touchdown performance against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium.

Still, it wasn’t enough, as Lamar Jackson and company rallied from a late fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime with a 56-yard field goal from Justin Tucker. In overtime, the Bengals recovered a Lamar Jackosn fumble but were unable to win it after Evan McPherson missed a 56-yard field goal of his win.

Baltimore used a big Derrick Henry run to get into field goal position, and Justin Tucker’s 24 field goals gave the Ravens their third straight win.

At one point in the fourth quarter, Burrow was 27-for-34 for 353 yards and five touchdown passes, while former college teammate Ja’Marr Chase had nine catches for 174 yards and two scores against a Ravens secondary full of first-round picks and high-paid defenders.

Burrow finished 30-39 passing for 392 yards, five touchdowns, and one costly interception. His MVP counterpart, Lamar Jackson, was 26-42 passing for 348 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson also had 12 carries for 56 yards on the day.

After a slow start, Derrick Henry finished things with a bang, rushing for 91 yards on 15 carries, with one rushing touchdown.

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Ravens put the entire NFL on notice with dominant 35-10 win over Bills in Week 4

Baltimore Ravens put the entire NFL on notice with dominant 35-10 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 4

The Ravens were a 0-2 team searching for an identity and were heading to Dallas for a must-win matchup against the Cowboys.

After holding on to defeat Dallas, Baltimore took another big step and put the entire league on notice with a dominant 35-10 win over the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday night in front of a raucous crowd.

Josh Allen was 16-29 passing for 180 yards but was sacked three times on the night and finished with a 73.9 rating before exiting midway through the fourth quarter as Baltimore had a 25-point lead.

For the Ravens, it was all about the running backs as Derrick Henry logged 24 carries for 199 yards (8.3 avg) and one rushing touchdown.  Henry also had a receiving touchdown.  His running mate, Justice Hill, had six catches for 78 yards and a receiving touchdown.

Overall, Baltimore allowed 237 yards on 57 offensive plays and held the Bills to 3-13 on third downs.