The Ravens have agreed to terms with veteran outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul on a one-year deal, adding a proven commodity to an edge-rush group that is perilously thin.
According to The Athletic, the deal could be worth up to $5.5 million.
Pierre-Paul, 33, underwent shoulder surgery in February for a torn rotator cuff. The Ravens had worked out the 12-year veteran in June but did not sign him, then had him return for another workout this month.
Pierre-Paul recorded a career-best 16.5 sacks with the New York Giants in 2011 and earned trips to the Pro Bowl in 2011 and 2012. He played eight seasons for the Giants, then the past four for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning Pro Bowl honors again in 2020. He played 12 games last year, totaling 31 tackles and 2.5 sacks, giving him 91.5 in his career.
Asked earlier this week about the prospect of signing free agents who had recently worked out, head coach John Harbaugh said the key was, “Are you in shape? Are you ready to go play? Are you ready to run around and help us win? Because that’s what I care about. We’re not trying to do anyone any favors here. We want guys who will come in and help us win right now.”
“Right now” is the key for the Ravens, especially at outside linebacker. Tyus Bowser, the Ravens’ team leader in sacks last year with seven, is on the reserve/PUP list through at least Week 4 after tearing his Achilles in the 2021 finale in January. Rookie second-round pick David Ojabo is recuperating from a torn Achilles in March and probably won’t be available until at least the second half of the season. Steven Means was lost to a season-ending Achilles injury last week.
For now, Justin Houston and Odafe Oweh are the only outside linebackers on the 53-man roster, though Malik Harrison, who was drafted as an inside linebacker, has been working on the edge.
Houston has two sacks in two games, but with few options to spell him, the 33-year-old has logged about two-thirds of the Ravens’ defensive snaps, a larger workload than the team would like.
Oweh, the second-year player considered on the cusp of a breakout season after an impressive training camp, has been quiet through two games. He has five tackles, no sacks and no quarterback hits.
Asked about Oweh earlier this week, Harbaugh said, “He has got to play better, like all of us do. … You’ve got to make a name for yourself out there. You’ve got to go do it.”
Pierre-Paul’s availability for this week would seem unlikely, so other immediate options at outside linebacker when the Ravens (1-1) visit the New England Patriots on Sept. 25 include undrafted rookie Jeremiah Moon and veteran Brandon Copeland, signed earlier this week. Both are on the practice squad.
Any practice squad elevations must be made by 4 p.m. Saturday.
This story has been updated.