The Baltimore Ravens signed a 23-game starter amid injury concerns about multiple defensive tackles, including Travis Jones.
TheĀ Baltimore RavensĀ arenāt waiting for injuries to completely wreck their defensive tackle rotation, so the team addedĀ Josh TupouĀ to the practice squad, amid concerns aboutĀ Travis JonesĀ andĀ Michael Pierce.
Tupou, who missed the Ravens final roster cuts this year, returned to the team on Monday, October 28, perĀ Ravens.com Staff Writer Clifton Brown. The latter also detailed how āBaltimoreās defensive line has been hit by injuries. Defensive end Brent Urban (concussion) and defensive tackle Michael Pierce (calf) departed in the first half of Sundayās 29-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns and did not return. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Travis Jones (ankle) played only 15 snaps after being limited in practice last week.ā
Jonesā status remains the most important among those issues. Heās been showing dominance during his third season in the NFL.
Josh Tupou Can Ease Growing Problem for Ravens
A litany of injuries up front means Tupou can feel confident about his chances of being elevated to the main roster. If so, the 30-year-old who hasĀ 23 startsĀ on his pro CV, wonāt be a liability at the heart of the Ravensā defensive line.
Tupou fits what the Ravens like to do in the trenches. Namely, fill the area with big-bodied powerhouses who can clog running lanes and push the pass pocket.
The former undrafted free agent for theĀ Cincinnati BengalsĀ showcased the latter trait with this impressive rep against right guardĀ Matt HennessyĀ when the Ravens took on theĀ Atlanta FalconsĀ in preseason. Tupouās formidable strength was highlighted byĀ Locked on Falcons.
AĀ 6-foot-3, 350-pounderĀ with this level of play strength can help offset the loss of Pierce andĀ Brent Urban. Tupou will also keep the Ravens stout against the run, like fellow veteran D-tackle and practice squad memberĀ Chris Wormley.
Being able to elevate one or both will allow the Ravens to reduce the burden on healthy startersĀ Nnamdi MadubuikeĀ andĀ Broderick Washington. AsĀ Brown pointed out, āMadubuike played a career-high 86% of the defensive snaps while Broderick Washington played a season-high 61%,ā during the 29-24 defeat to theĀ Cleveland BrownsĀ in Week 8.
Keeping big defensive linemen fresh is vital for what the Ravens do on that side of the ball. It will be just as important to get Jones fully healthy as soon as possible.
Travis Jones Tough to Replace
Replacing Jones is a tougher task than coping without Pierce and Urban. The latter pair are tough and resourceful, but Jones has legitimate game-wrecking talent.
Jones has been taking his game up a level with brute force and a more active pass-rush repertoire. The Ravens third-round pick in 2022 already has a sack and four pressures through eight games, just half a sack short of his totals for all of last season.
While Jones is maturing as a pass-rusher, the 25-year-old remains a force against the run. Baltimoreās immovable object has been clocking up a strong tally of run stops,Ā per PFF BAL Ravens.
Travis Jones among IDL over the past two weeks:
šŖ 84.8 PFF grade (3rd)
šŖ 4 run stops (T-6th)