The Baltimore Ravens have been making a few moves as they are trying to finally push through in the AFC this year and get to the Super Bowl.
On Thursday, the Ravens released their veteran defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, placing him on waivers just hours before their primetime game against the Cincinnati Bengals. If Ngakoue isn’t claimed by another team, the Ravens are expected to bring him back onto their practice squad. This is a huge Thursday matchup as this will ve crucial for seeding in the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens Making Moves For Playoff Push
The move frees up a valuable spot on the 53-man roster, possibly paving the way for running back Keaton Mitchell to make an appearance against the Bengals. Mitchell could provide fresh energy to the Ravens’ backfield if he’s activated in time.
This season, Ngakoue has played in five games for Baltimore, recording five tackles and 1.5 sacks. It’s his second stint with the Ravens, having previously joined them for a nine-game run in the 2020 season.
Starting his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ngakoue has since spent time with several teams, including the Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, and now, the Ravens again. If he clears waivers, Ngakoue could be a potential pickup for any team looking to add a seasoned pass rusher.
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Throughout his career, Ngakoue has built an impressive resume over 128 games, totaling 228 tackles, 70.5 sacks, 21 forced fumbles, two interceptions, and 13 passes defended. While he’s moved between teams, his production shows he’s still capable of contributing at a high level. It is a bit strange that the team is cutting him as they do have not a lot of productivity on the defensive side, especially on their defensive line.
They must have some kind of plan on defense as they were the number 1 overall defense last season, and that was huge reason for their success.
As for the Ravens, they’re looking to improve to 7-3 with a victory on Thursday night. Having already taken down the Bengals in Cincinnati, Baltimore is aiming for a season sweep, which would bolster their position atop the AFC North standings. Both of these teams can make noise in the playoffs and this
A win against Cincinnati would secure the Ravens first place going into Sunday’s games. They’d stay there if the Pittsburgh Steelers fall to the Washington Commanders.
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