Ravens Add Veteran Cornerback Amani Oruwariye Amid Secondary Injury Concerns
The Baltimore Ravens are making moves to shore up their depleted secondary.
On Wednesday, the team announced the signing of veteran cornerback Amani Oruwariye to the practice squad. The addition comes as starters Marlon Humphrey (calf) and Nate Wiggins (elbow) remain sidelined with injuries.
Oruwariye, 29, brings seven years of NFL experience and 10 career interceptions to Baltimore.
Oruwariye’s Recent Journey
Originally a fifth-round pick out of Penn State in 2019, Oruwariye joined the Tennessee Titans for training camp but was released during final roster cuts on August 26. He briefly returned to Tennessee’s practice squad before being let go again prior to Week 1.
Last season, he played for the Dallas Cowboys, appearing in seven games (four starts) and posting 29 tackles, one interception, and three pass breakups. However, he’s perhaps most remembered for a costly special teams mistake against the Cincinnati Bengals last December, when he mishandled a blocked punt, leading to the Bengals’ game-winning drive.
His best year came in 2021 with the Detroit Lions, when he recorded six of his 10 career interceptions before landing on injured reserve with a thumb injury. Oruwariye has also had brief stints with the Giants and Jaguars in 2023 but didn’t log any stats.
Ravens Secondary Struggling With Injuries
Heading into Week 5 against the Houston Texans, Baltimore is dealing with a rash of injuries on defense. Cornerbacks Humphrey, Wiggins, and Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) all missed Wednesday’s practice. All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton (groin) was limited.
The injuries extend beyond the secondary. Key defensive linemen Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and Broderick Washington (ankle) are already on injured reserve.
As a result, Baltimore’s defense has struggled badly. The Ravens currently rank last in the NFL in points allowed per game (33.3), second-worst in total yards allowed (406.8), and 25th in yards per play (5.7).
Despite the tough start, head coach John Harbaugh remains optimistic.
“I believe in all our guys — players, coaches, and (defensive coordinator) Zach Orr,” Harbaugh said Monday via The Baltimore Sun. “I see how hard they work and how well they coach. I’m in the meetings, I see the preparation and the schemes. I know what we’re facing, and I’m confident we’ll turn things around.”
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