Devonta Freeman has been called to the boss' office. He's getting promoted.
The Baltimore Ravens elevated the veteran running back to the 53-man roster.
After losing not one, not two, but all three of its top running backs to season-ending injuries before the regular season even started, Baltimore went on a dollar store shopping spree. With a cupboard to fill and veterans to be had, the Ravens signed Freeman, Le'Veon Bell and Latavius Murray.
The latter of the three scored a touchdown on Monday night, while the other two spent the evening in street clothes. Now, Freeman becomes the second veteran to get a crack at carrying the ball for Baltimore.
At his peak, Freeman was an elite running back for the Atlanta Falcons, gaining 1,500-plus scrimmage yards in both 2015 and 2016 before missing most of 2018 due to injury. He's never regained the form that once placed him among the league's highest-paid running backs, moving on to play a minimal role with the Giants last season before spending the 2021 preseason with the Saints.
After Lamar Jackson again led the Ravens in total rushing yards on Monday night, Baltimore is throwing the spaghetti at the wall. We'll see if Freeman sticks.
Injuries/COVID-19
- New York Giants guard Nick Gates suffered a lower leg fracture that forced him to be carted off the field in the first quarter against the Washington Football Team on Thursday. Gates was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital and will remain overnight and undergo surgery in the morning to repair the fracture. Gates moved from center to guard for the game, making room for former Bengals offensive lineman Billy Price to start at center.
- Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James (toe) returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday and was a full participant. Chargers safety Nasir Adderley (groin), cornerback Chris Harris and offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga (groin/back) were each still DNPs.
- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw plans to undergo surgery for a core muscle injury that will sideline him 6-8 weeks, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Greenlaw is scheduled to meet with Dr. William Meyers and have the procedure done either Thursday or Friday, Rapoport added. Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (knee) remained out of practice, while defensive linemen Arik Armstead (adductor), Dee Ford (ankle) and Javon Kinlaw (knee) were limited.
- Detroit Lions receiver Tyrell Williams is still in concussion protocol. Coach Dan Campbell said it "doesn't look great" for Williams to play Monday at Green Bay. Running backs D'Andre Swift (groin) and Jamaal Williams (chest), linebackers Romeo Okwara (shoulder) and Trey Flowers (shoulder) and defensive end Michael Brockers (shoulder) were all limited in practice.
- The New York Jets activated wide receiver Jamison Crowder from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (ankle/illness), guard Quenton Nelson (foot/back) and cornerback Xavier Rhodes (calf) all remained out of practice. Defensive end Kwity Paye (hamstring) was also held out.
- Green Bay Packers edge rusher Za'Darius Smith (back) did not practice Thursday.
- Denver Broncos coach Vic Fangio said linebacker Bradley Chubb (ankle) is expected to be limited in practice and guard Graham Glasgow (heart) will remain out.
- Las Vegas Raiders guard Richie Incognito (calf), running back Josh Jacobs (toe/ankle), linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (concussion) and quarterback Marcus Mariota (quad) did not practice. Defensive ends Carl Nassib (pectoral/toe) and Yannick Ngakoue (hamstring) were limited.
- Miami Dolphins tight end Adam Shaheen(knee) and wide receiver Preston Williams (foot) were full-go in practice Thursday after being limited the previous day.
- Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis (ankle) and safety Micah Hyde (neck) were limited in practice.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (hand) did not practice.
- New England Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith (hip) and kicker Quinn Nordin (abdomen) were limited in practice. Offensive tackle Trent Brown (calf) and linebacker Kyle Van Noy (throat) remained out.
- The New York Giants placed placed guard Shane Lemieux on injured reserve.
- The Houston Texans removed offensive lineman Charlie Heck from the reserve/COVID-19 list and placed linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis on injured reserve. Tight end Pharaoh Brown (ankle/shoulder) did not practice for the second day in a row. Defensive back Desmond King (knee) returned in a limited capacity ad wide receiver Andre Roberts (knee) was full-go.
- Dallas Cowboys safety Damontae Kazee (thigh) was limited in practice.
- Chicago Bears offensive lineman Larry Borom (ankle) and defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (knee/ankle) did not practice. Offensive lineman Jason Peters (quad) and linebacker Robert Quinn (back) remained limited.
- Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (knee) and offensive tackle Jedrick Wills (ankle) did not practice for the second day in a row.
- Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (hamstring) did not practice.
- Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum (ribs) and linebacker Devon Kennard (hamstring) did not practice.
- Tennessee Titans rookie cornerback Caleb Farley (shoulder) and linebacker David Long (hamstring) did not practice, while linebacker Bud Dupree (knee) returned in a limited capacity. Wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee) was a full participant.
- Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (ankle), safety Marcus Epps (concussion), cornerback Avonte Maddox (groin) and safety Rodney McLeod (knee) were limited in practice.
- Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Austin Blythe (abdomen), defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (glute), defensive end Frank Clark (hamstring), running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) and wide receiver Tyreek Hill (toe) were all full participants.
- Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) did not practice Thursday, but cornerbacks Jimmy Smith (ankle) and Marlon Humphrey (back) were limited.
Roster signings
- The Detroit Lions signed tackle Will Holden to the active roster from the practice squad and have re-signed guard Tommy Kraemer to the practice squad. The Lions claimed defensive back Corey Ballentine off waivers from the Jets.
- The Indianapolis Colts signed cornerback Chris Wilcox to the practice squad.
- The New York Giants signed former Ravens center Matt Skura, wide receiver C.J. Board and tight end Chris Myarick to their active roster.
- The Baltimore Ravens signed offensive tackle Foster Sarell to their practice squad.
- The Arizona Cardinals signed kicker Matt McCrane to the practice squad.
Roster cuts
- The Indianapolis Colts released safety Shawn Davis from the practice squad.