Living up to the description
Special teams have generally been solid, but Ravens trying to improve
After losing key contributors and making a change with the return man, Ravens special teams coach Chris Horton believes the unit is nearing its potential.
Sunday’s 49-13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals was devoid of any egregious errors — save for two kickoff penalties against safety Anthony Levine Sr. and the kickoff coverage allowing a 47-yard return — but Horton believes the unit will come together soon, specifically in the return game.
“I thought [wide receiver/return specialist] De’Anthony [Thomas] came on and showed some good things,” Horton said Thursday. “On the kickoff team, he was where he needed to be. As a punt returner, on his one punt return he got 8 yards. Obviously we’ll do a much better job of helping him get free.
“We’re close. I keep saying that, but pretty soon, hopefully, we’ll pop some big ones.”
The Ravens signed Thomas on Nov. 5 and he was the team’s return man against the Bengals. Cornerback/punt returner Cyrus Jones (Gilman) was a healthy scratch after muffing a punt two weeks ago in the team’s win over the New England Patriots.
On Wednesday, the Ravens released Jones, furthering cementing Thomas’ status as the primary returner.
The Ravens rank fifth in yards per punt return (9.4) but 27th in yards per kickoff return (19.2).
“When you look at De’Anthony’s history over the years, he’s got a lot of punt returns in this league,” Horton said. “It wasn’t like we were going out and we were bringing in a new guy. … He is an experienced guy. He’s had a lot of opportunities in this league.”
Horton also pointed to the return of rookie cornerback Iman Marshall, who on Tuesday was activated from injured reserve, as well as safety/special teams ace Brynden Trawick, whom the team on Thursday designated for return from IR.
Marshall could make his NFL debut Sunday against the Houston Texans.
Trawick was placed on IR on Oct. 3 with an elbow injury, although coach John Harbaugh initially said the injury wasn’t a “long-term deal.” Trawick will have a three-week window to practice before the Ravens must make the decision to activate him to the 53-man roster.
He must sit out eight games before returning, which would make him eligible to play Dec. 8 against the Buffalo Bills. If the Ravens decide to activate Trawick, he would be their second and final player eligible to return from IR.
Trawick’s return would be a boost to a special teams unit that has been shaky in recent weeks. Harbaugh labeled the unit “inconsistent” after the team’s victory over the NewEngland Patriots and two penalties were committed on special teams in Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Horton definitely wants to see Trawick return to action.
“I’m fired up about him because he makes us better,” Horton said. “We’ve taken a hit over the past couple of weeks, but just getting some guys back [will help us]. A player like him and his style, he makes us better.”
Extra points
The Ravens also signed defensive end Ufomba Kamalu to the practice squad and released offensive tackle Marcus Applefield, the team announced Thursday.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is the Ravens’ nominee for the 2019 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, the NFL announced Thursday.
Jackson was also named Week 10 FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week.
The NFL released a statement Thursday, listing the teams that have committed to free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s workout on Saturday, and the Ravens are not among them. According to the release, the league expects additional teams to commit before Saturday.
Defensive tackle Michael Pierce (ankle) did not practice Thursday for the second consecutive day.
Fellow defensive tackle Brandon Williams (non-injury related) also missed practice. After being limited Wednesday, rookie wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (ankle) did not practice.
Wide receiver Chris Moore (thumb) was limited.