Baltimore Beatdown
The Ravens lost two safeties on Monday with the Colts claiming Reuben Lowery off waivers and the Broncos signing J.T. Gray from the practice squad. The first move appeared on the NFL’s daily transaction wire, while the second was reported by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
Lowery made Baltimore’s 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie after a strong showing in spring practices and a solid performance in the preseason. In the first four weeks of the regular season, he was a healthy scratch twice and played only a handful of snaps in his two appearances. Lowery started in place of an injured Kyle Hamilton in Week 5 and allowed five catches on six targets, including two touchdowns.
The Ravens acquired veterans C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Alohi Gilman last week, signaling that Lowery would probably not be in their safety plans moving forward. He is also not an all-purpose special teams contributor with his regular season action limited to kick coverages and returns. As a result, he was waived on Saturday as part of Baltimore’s Week 6 roster moves.
Baltimore may have wanted to retain Lowery on their practice squad after he impressed enough to beat out 2024 UDFA Beau Brade for a roster spot in training camp. He did not fit the team’s current needs, but the Ravens have developed plenty of unheralded, undersized defensive backs into rotational contributors. Lowery will now try to make an impression in Indianapolis where he will likely compete with fellow undrafted rookie safety Trey Washington for playing time.
Gray was a surprise cut by the Saints before the regular season and the Ravens quickly swooped in. John Harbaugh indicated that the veteran special teams ace would contribute right away, but he was not elevated from the practice squad for Weeks 1 or 2. Gray then landed on the practice squad injured reserve and did not return to practice before he was poached by the Broncos.
In Denver, Gray will reunite with head coach Sean Payton and special teams coordinator, Darren Rizzi, two of his coaches from his time in New Orleans. He will likely take on a core special teams role as soon as he is healthy.
