Tag: Xavier Grimble

Ravens sign TE Sean Culkin to practice squad with Xavier Grimble injured

The Baltimore Ravens’ newest tight end, Xavier Grimble is hurt on the practice squad. So the team added Sean Culkin to fill his spot.

The Baltimore Ravens not only faced an injury to cornerback Tavon Young this week, but they also saw a hit to their practice squad as well. According to the transaction list for Monday, the Ravens placed tight end Xavier Grimble on the practice-squad-injured list and signed Sean Culkin to replace him.

Grimble was signed to the practice squad last week with linebacker Kristian Welch hurt and placed on the practice-squad-injured list. However, with only two tight ends on the 53-man roster, it makes sense for Baltimore to keep some other options for insurance purposes. And with an expanded practice squad this year, you can’t find a better spot for that third or fourth tight end to hang out. Culkin joins Eli Wolf and Jerrell Adams as the tight ends on the Ravens’ practice squad right now.

Culkin was initially signed by the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He hasn’t produced a ton over those three years, catching just two passes for 36 yards. But he has started quite 12 games for Los Angeles, which is a good number considering he’s now on Baltimore’s practice squad.

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Ravens sign TE Xavier Grimble to practice squad with LB Kristian Welch hurt

With UDFA LB Kristian Welch hurt on the practice squad, the Baltimore Ravens used the freed-up spot for veteran tight end Xavier Grimble.

The practice squad was a valuable resource prior to this season but with some new rules, it’s become even more important. The Baltimore Ravens are maximizing their practice squad entering Week 2 by shuffling some players around.

Per the transaction reports, the Ravens moved UDFA linebacker Kristian Welch to the practice squad-injured list and signed veteran tight end Xavier Grimble to take his place. The moves still keep 16 players on Baltimore’s practice squad but gives them a little added insurance at tight end.

Grimble spent the last four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, starting seven games over that time. He has 23 receptions for 239 yards and three touchdowns in those four years, with most of his stats coming from a 2016 season in which he earned 21 of his 41 career targets.

Though the Ravens are pretty set at tight end with Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle taking care of business in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, having an experienced option sitting around on the practice squad isn’t a terrible idea either. Much was made of the third tight end spot this offseason and throughout training camp only for Baltimore to not keep a third tight end on the 53-man roster. While the Ravens could use fullback Patrick Ricard as a tight end at times, they probably wouldn’t want to rely on that in the event Andrews or Boyle were to get hurt.

Welch is one of two inside linebackers on Baltimore’s practice squad alongside Aaron Adeoye. Grimble becomes the third tight end on the Ravens’ practice squad, joining UDFA Eli Wolf and veteran Jerrell Adams.

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Colts sign two to the practice squad, release TE Xavier Grimble

Colts add to the practice squad.

The Indianapolis Colts signed running back Darius Anderson and tight end Charlie Taumoepeau to the practice squad and released tight end Xavier Grimble from the practice squad, the team announced Tuesday.

The Colts continue to make tweaks to the practice squad after initially signing 14 players on Sunday. Anderson is the only running back on the practice squad with four on the active roster while Taumoepeau joins undrafted rookie free agent Farrod Green.

Grimble spent the offseason with the Colts and saw some reps during training camp but was eventually released at roster cuts. He was re-signed to the practice squad but will now hit free agency.

The Colts now have 15 of their 16 spots filled on the practice squad, which means another move is likely coming before the Week 1 opener against the Jaguars.