The Baltimore Ravens just made a surprising roster move right before their showdown with the Los Angeles Rams! In a strategic shift that's got fans buzzing, they've signed defensive tackle C.J. Okoye to the coveted 53-man roster. But here's where it gets controversial... to make room for Okoye, they waived undrafted rookie safety Reuben Lowery III.
Lowery, one of three undrafted rookies who initially defied the odds to make the team, found himself thrust into the spotlight last week against the Houston Texans due to Kyle Hamilton's injury. Unfortunately, it was a rough outing for him and several other young players. It's a tough reality in the NFL – one week you're in, the next you're out.
This move comes hot on the heels of the Ravens' acquisition of veteran safety Alohi Gilman earlier in the week. And this is the part most people miss... Gilman isn't just expected to fill a spot; he's anticipated to make an immediate impact on the Ravens' secondary, bringing experience and stability to the defensive backfield. (You can read more about that here: [https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/alohi-gilman-ravens-secondary-smooth-transition-instant-impact-jake-hummel-rams-ardarius-washington-puka-nacua-record])
Now, let's talk about C.J. Okoye. This towering 6-foot-6, 370-pound defensive force has been grinding it out for his opportunity. Hailing from Nigeria, Okoye is a testament to the NFL's global reach. He's already seen action in the past two games, racking up seven tackles and one quarterback hit. This marks his first time officially on an NFL 53-man roster, a significant milestone after spending his first two years on the Los Angeles Chargers' practice squad, and starting this season on Baltimore's practice squad. Talk about perseverance!
But wait, there's more! The Ravens also activated quarterback Tyler Huntley and undrafted rookie safety Keondre Jackson from their practice squad. Huntley will step in as Cooper Rush's backup, as Lamar Jackson continues to recover from his hamstring injury and is set to miss his second consecutive game. For Jackson, this marks his NFL debut. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound safety from Illinois State is likely to contribute on special teams and will join a safety group including Hamilton, Gilman, Malaki Starks, and Sanoussi Kane.
So, what do you think about these moves? Was waiving Lowery the right call to make room for Okoye and bolster the safety position with Gilman? With so many young players getting opportunities, is this a sign of a changing of the guard in Baltimore? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
