OWINGS MILLS, MD. — Ravens outside linebackers Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo were on the practice field for the first time this season on Oct. 12, an encouraging sign for an edge rush group that has been short on depth all season.
Bowser tore his Achilles in the final game of the 2021 season, and Ojabo, the team’s second-round draft pick in April, tore his Achilles during Michigan’s Pro Day in March.
During the summer, the Ravens had expressed hope that Bowser would be ready for the beginning of the season, but as with Ronnie Stanley and other players injured last season, the team has proceeded with caution in Bowser’s rehabilitation. Ojabo, meanwhile, appears to be ahead of schedule.
Now that Bowser and Ojabo have returned to practice, the Ravens have 21 days to move them to the 53-man roster.
Speaking after practice, head coach John Harbaugh said he wouldn’t yet rule out Bowser making his season debut this week when the Ravens face the New York Giants. Harbaugh said Ojabo will not play this week, though he said he was “very impressed” to see the rookie on the field.
In the portion of the practice open to the media, both players worked with defensive assistant Ryan Osborn, who came to the Ravens from Michigan with defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and had coached Ojabo last season.
Bowser, 27, is in the second year of a four-year, $22 million deal he signed in 2021. Last season, Bowser set career highs with 56 tackles and a team-best seven sacks and ranked second on the team with 15 quarterback hits. Two years ago, Bowser finished second on the team in interceptions with three.
Ojabo, a high school teammate of Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh, was viewed as a top-20 pick in this year’s draft before tearing the Achilles in his left leg during Michigan’s Pro Day. That sent Ojabo falling on draft boards, but the Ravens stopped his slide by selecting him at No. 45 overall in the second round.
That reunited him with Macdonald, under whom Ojabo thrived last season. With Michigan in 2021, Ojabo recorded 35 tackles, 11 sacks, and set a school record with five forced fumbles.
Whenever it occurs, the return of Bowser and the pro debut of Ojabo should boost an outside linebacker group that has been short on numbers all season. The Ravens’ initial 53-man roster included just two healthy outside linebackers in Oweh and veteran Justin Houston, and Houston has been sidelined for the past two games by a groin injury.
Vince Biegel tore his Achilles in the preseason, and veteran Steven Means, who began the season on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against Miami in Week 2.
The Ravens have turned to Malik Harrison to fill in at outside linebacker and bolstered the group by signing veteran Jason Pierre-Paul two weeks ago. The Ravens also signed Baltimore native Brandon Copeland to the practice squad, and he has been elevated to the active roster for each of the past three games.
Through four games, the Ravens (2-2) rank tied for 12th in the league with 11 sacks, five of which have come from outside linebacker. Houston leads the team with two sacks.
NOTEBOOK
BATEMAN, HILL, HOUSTON REMAIN SIDELINED: Wide receiver Rashod Bateman (foot), running back Justice Hill (hamstring) and outside linebacker Justin Houston (groin) all missed practice after missing the Week 5 game against Cincinnati. None of the players practiced at all last week. Guard Ben Cleveland (foot) also has been sidelined for more than a week.
Other absences from practice included tackle Ronnie Stanley, defensive end Calais Campbell and cornerback Marcus Peters. Harbaugh declined to say whether Stanley is dealing with setback after his first game action in more than a year this past week. Campbell and Peters were given a vet day off.
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