Baltimore Beatdown
The Baltimore Ravens waived undrafted rookie safety Reuben Lowery ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Rams, creating a spot on the 53-man roster for nose tackle C.J. Okoye.
The Ravens also elevated quarterback Tyler Huntley and safety Keondre Jackson from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. Huntley will back up Cooper Rush while Jackson will contribute on special teams.
Okoye was elevated from the practice squad for the last two games amid the Ravens’ injury crisis along their defensive line. He could not harness his massive 6-foot-6, 370-pound frame into splash plays, but he effectively ate space in the trenches against the run. Developing young players for 2026 and beyond has quietly become an important part of the Ravens’ season, and Okoye is one who could play a bigger role in the future.
Lowery was put in a tough spot for his first career start against the Texans in Week 5. He filled in for an injured Kyle Hamilton and gave up two touchdowns in coverage, but it is difficult to malign his performance when considering the rest of the Ravens’ secondary this year.
Lowery should have a chance to stay in Baltimore on the practice squad if he goes unclaimed on waivers, which feels likely given last week’s struggles. He looked like a promising playmaker in spring and summer practices, and it is far to early to give up on a rookie safety after one start.
It is fair to wonder why the Ravens did not just use Okoye’s third practice squad elevation and keep Lowery on the active roster for special teams. Jackson can fill a role on every special teams unit, while Lowery only contributes to kick coverages and returns. The latter was on the active roster for his defensive contributions, but with Alohi Gilman now playing as the Ravens’ third safety, Jackson’s special teams presence is more valuable on game day.
