Justin Houston Adds Clarity Amid Uncertainty In Ravens’ Edge Rush Group

The Ravens have agreed to terms with veteran outside linebacker Justin Houston on a one-year deal, the team announced July 7, adding a proven quantity to a position group beset by questions and rocked by tragedy this summer.

Houston, 33, is entering his 12th NFL season and second in Baltimore. Last year, he started 15 of 17 games and finished with 34 tackles and a career-low 4.5 sacks. Houston was named to the Pro Bowl four straight years with the Kansas City Chiefs, including 2014 when he led the NFL with 22 sacks. He has 102 in his career.

The Ravens opted not to re-sign Houston when free agency began, but later applied an unrestricted free agency tender, which would have given the Ravens exclusive negotiating rights with Houston after July 22. But they didn’t wait that long to bring back Houston, one of six active players with at least 100 career sacks.

Terms were not released, and the deal will be pending a physical.

Houston served as a mentor to younger edge rushers last season, frequently staying on the field after practice to work with rookie Odafe Oweh, Tyus Bowser and others. Bowser led the Ravens with seven sacks last year, while Oweh totaled five.

Bowser, though, is coming off a torn Achilles suffered in the 2021 season finale, so his availability for Week 1 remains unclear. The Ravens already know they will be without rookie second-round pick David Ojabo for a significant portion of the season; he tore his left Achilles during Michigan’s Pro Day in March.

The Ravens’ edge-rush group was then rocked by tragedy when outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson, who was about to enter his fourth season with the team, died on June 21. The office of the chief medical examiner determined Ferguson died from the combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine and ruled the death accidental.

Pending Bowser’s return, Houston and Oweh figure to be the top edge rushers for new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who held that same position at the University of Michigan last year during Houston’s only season in Baltimore.

Daelin Hayes, who played in just one game as a rookie last year before being shut down by injury, looked strong in OTA workouts and could be a factor on the edge. The Ravens also signed versatile six-year veteran Vince Biegel, who can play inside or outside linebacker, and Malik Harrison could get a look as an outside linebacker, as he did at times last season.

Houston, though, at least should add some clarity amid a lot of uncertainty.

The Ravens are scheduled to return to their Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills on July 26, with the first training camp practice scheduled for the next day.

Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox

Bo Smolka

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