The Baltimore Ravens secondary that came into the season with a lot of hype because of their talent and depth is officially getting one of its key pieces back following the activation of veteran nickel cornerback Arthur Maulet from injured reserve on Tuesday.
After missing the first seven games of the season while dealing with knee and hamstring injuries the eighth-year veteran makes his long-awaited return to a Ravens secondary that has been much maligned in the media for its propensity for giving up big plays.
Maulet first returned to practice on Oct. 2 and was nearing the end of the 21-day window for him to be added to the active roster or revert to season-ending injured reserve. He was a full participant in Saturday’s practice ahead of the Ravens’ Monday Night Football matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in primetime they won 41-31.
The 31-year-old’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Ravens as three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey who has been the first man up to bump inside to the nickel spot in three-plus receiver sets could be dealing with a minor injury. After recording a pair of crucial interceptions in the first half, Humphrey was taken to the locker room ahead of halftime and did not return to action in the second half. After the game, head coach John Harbaugh didn’t have an official diagnosis but believed the setback to not be “too serious.”
Humphrey was in the locker room postgame walking around without any impediment and took to social media for his customary post-victory Instagram live session in just as good of spirits as his head coach described he was in. Whether he misses some time or no time at all, having Maulet back just further bolsters their already deep defensive backfield with an experienced player coming off a career year to rotate with fourth-year pro Ar’Darius Washington alongside Humphrey.
Last season was the best of Maulet’s career to date in which he looked right at home in Baltimore and was a dangerous weapon in the slot both in coverage and as a blitzer. The former undrafted free agent appeared in 14 games and recorded 37 total tackles including 32 solos and five for a loss, two sacks, three quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries, five pass breakups and one interception which prompted the Ravens to re-sign him to a two-year deal this offseason.
A knee injury that he suffered in training camp and required arthroscopic surgery had held out and limited Maulet until now. He will have a chance to make his 2024 regular season debut in Week 8 when the Ravens hit the road to take on the reeling Cleveland Browns in an AFC North divisional matchup.
In a corresponding move to make room for him on the roster, the team waived inside linebacker Josh Ross. The 2022 undrafted free agent had appeared and seen action in all seven games this season, playing exclusively on special teams and recording five tackles including three solos on 138 snaps.
