Ravens Make Roster Move, Eye More Additions
Baltimore looks to bolster both defense and special teams
Following the loss of standout edge rusher Tavius Robinson to a broken foot in Week 6, the Baltimore Ravens are exploring options to strengthen multiple areas of their roster. Robinson, in the midst of a breakout season with two sacks through five-and-a-half games, was not only the team’s top pass rusher but also a key contributor on special teams, averaging over 10 snaps per game.
Replacing his impact on both defense and special teams could require multiple signings, which helps explain the flurry of roster activity on Monday as the team returned from its Week 7 bye. According to the NFL transaction wire, the Ravens brought in veteran edge rushers Jesse Luketa and Carl Lawson for workouts and added wide receiver Colton Dowell to the practice squad.
Dowell Signing Focused on Special Teams Help
Colton Dowell was brought in mainly for his special teams value. He has logged 139 special teams snaps in his NFL career, compared to just 51 on offense. Dowell’s offensive reps all came during his 2023 rookie season with the Tennessee Titans, where he appeared in 10 games (one start) and made one catch for three yards. He also tallied three tackles on special teams.
A torn ACL near the end of his rookie year sidelined him for the entire 2024 season, and he was released before training camp this summer. Dowell now joins Cornelius Johnson and Keith Kirkwood as the only wideouts on Baltimore’s practice squad.
Lawson and Luketa Bring Pass-Rush and Special Teams Potential
Carl Lawson is one of the top edge rushers currently available in free agency. The veteran played in 15 games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, notching five sacks, four tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble in three starts. If signed, the 30-year-old would return to familiar territory in the AFC North, where he began his career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Lawson recorded 20 sacks in four seasons with the Bengals before signing with the Jets in 2021.
Jesse Luketa, meanwhile, offers more of a hybrid skill set. While he made his name as a core special teams player for the Arizona Cardinals, he showed improvement as a pass rusher in 2024. The Penn State product recorded his first three career sacks last season, along with four tackles for loss and a forced fumble, while playing on over two-thirds of Arizona’s special teams snaps.
The Ravens appear committed to reinforcing both defense and special teams depth as they gear up for the second half of the season.
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