Pats Pulpit
Familiar faces will meet again in primetime at M&T Bank Stadium.
Four past New England Patriots currently reside in head coach John Harbaugh’s locker room. Two past Baltimore Ravens currently reside in head coach Mike Vrabel’s locker room.
Here’s a glance through those ties between the active rosters, practice squads and reserve lists ahead of Sunday’s flexed 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.
Jonathan Ward, running back — Before joining Baltimore’s practice squad in early December, Ward had a pair of stints on New England’s. The 28-year-old running back signed in Foxborough following a workout in October. He re-signed midway through November. A veteran of 46 NFL games, Ward entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020. The Central Michigan alum’s career has brought 91 yards across 22 carries, 52 yards across six catches and one touchdown. He has also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants.
Scotty Washington, tight end — The 28-year-old Washington has been a member of the Ravens’ practice squad dating back to 2023. The season prior, he made his NFL debut as a standard elevation on Christmas Eve and tipped a third-and-29 pass in the end zone to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers for a Patriots touchdown. A futures pact followed at Gillette Stadium. Originally entering the league as a rookie free agent out of Wake Forest, the convert from the wide receiver room has also been in the fold for an additional two AFC North clubs.
Kyle Van Noy, linebacker — The 34-year-old Van Noy earned his first Pro Bowl nod last campaign. He has been a Raven since 2023 while amassing 42 games, 27 starts, 89 tackles, 23.5 sacks as well as an interception handed off for a touchdown. Taken by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft at No. 40 overall, the BYU product went on to earn Super Bowl LI and LIII rings while in Foxborough. Acquired via trade in 2016 and reacquired via free agency in 2021, Van Noy holds a spot on the Patriots All-Decade team. There were 27 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and three interceptions tallied as the versatile linebacker started 61 of his 78 appearances, including playoffs. He has also made stops with the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers.
David Olajiga, defensive tackle — The Ravens added Olajiga to the practice squad through the NFL International Player Pathway in October. The 28-year-old defensive tackle had been released from the Patriots’ practice squad the week prior. He landed in Foxborough ahead of training camp in July. An exemption as the 17th man followed for the London native after seeing 54 defensive snaps in the preseason and clearing waivers in August. Undrafted in 2024 out of Butler Community College and Central Missouri, Olajiga spent his rookie year on the practice squad of the Los Angeles Rams.
D’Ernest Johnson, running back — Joining New England’s practice squad in late October,...
