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After initially signing with the team on October 18, veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson’s time on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad has come to an end following the announcement of his signing to the active 53-man roster.
The Ravens used the third and last of Jackson’s standard elevations for the season in their Week 13 win over the Denver Broncos. In limited action, the three-time Pro Bowler has proved that even at 36 years old, he still possesses blazing speed and can get behind opposing defenses.
He has recorded 100 receiving yards on five receptions in just 46 total offensive snaps in three games, with his biggest play coming against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12, when he hauled in a 62-yard bomb from Lamar Jackson to flip the field and set up an eventual touchdown scoring drive.
Jackson reached 21.48 mph on the long play, the third-fastest speed by a ball carrier this season. He is averaging 20 yards a catch and, though the sample size is limited, the dangerous vertical threat he presents is legit and will be leaned on down with Rashod Bateman out for the season after undergoing foot surgery.
He can open up more space underneath and at the intermediate level for the Ravens’ other pass catchers as well as for himself. Some defensive backs will be so worried about getting beat deep that they’ll give a large cushion in soft coverage, allowing Jackson to run comeback routes with little resistance.
To make room for Jackson, the Ravens waived third-year wideout Binjimen Victor on December 5. The team also has Andy Isabella and undrafted rookie Shemar Bridges on the practice squad.
Ravens’ Weapons Still Pale in Comparison to Other Contenders
As intriguing as the promotion of Jackson to the 53-man roster, he’s still not prime D-Jax. The absence of Bateman, who can threaten every level of the field and be both a possession receiver in addition to a consistent deep threat, will be missed.
The Ravens’ offensive weapons, particularly at wide receiver, weren’t deep even before losing Bateman. Now that he’s gone, the unit doesn’t exactly inspire confidence compared with those of other contenders, including the Cincinnati Bengals, with whom they’re tied atop the AFC North.
In Week 13, the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Kansas City Chiefs for the third time this calendar year thanks in large part to the contributions of their wideouts. The Bengals arguably the best receiver trio in the league: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. Even though none of them went over 100 receiving in their last game, each has made clutch plays.
There’s also the dangerous duos of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis of the Buffalo Bills, the collection of gifted role players with the Chiefs and even the New York Jets’ underrated yet ascending trio of Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis and Elijah Moore.
Even if they were to make it out of the AFC gauntlet to the Super Bowl, the NFC’s top teams are loaded, as well. The Super Bowl favorite Philadelphia Eagles have A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, the Minnesota Vikings have Justin Jefferson and Adan Thielen, the Seattle Seahawks have Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf and the San Fransico 49ers have Deebo Samuels and Brandon Aiyuk.
Ravens vs. Browns Week 15 Matchup Flexed to Saturday
The date and time for the second meeting between the Ravens and Cleveland Browns has been set: 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, December 17, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. It will be televised on the NFL Network.
This will be likely the final meeting between the two AFC North foes as the Browns are unlikely to make the postseason, though they have yet to be mathematically eliminated. The first matchup took place in Baltimore in Week 7 and the Ravens won 23-20 at M&T Bank Stadium.
The Ravens might not have quarterback Lamar Jackson back under center because he was projected to miss 1-3 weeks with a sprained PCL. If he can’t play, Tyler Huntley will start the sixth game of his career. The Browns will have their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson in the starting lineup after returning December 4 from an 11-game suspension stemming from multiple violations of the league’s personal conduct policy.
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