By Joe Schiller
The Ravens' secondary was touted as one of the team's deepest position groups coming into the season. Six weeks in and the injuries are piling on.
Head Coach John Harbaugh announced that safety DeShon Elliott is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
"It looks like he's going to be out for the year, unfortunately, " Harbaugh said. "That's preliminary, [but> it sounded like they were pretty confident it wasn't good so we'll go with that until further notice. We'll have to find a replacement there and move forward."
Coach Harbaugh says DeShon Elliott is likely out for the year. pic.twitter.com/GCgLmKi3D5
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens)
October 14, 2019 Elliott missed his rookie season with a fractured forearm and now suffers a disappointing end to his sophomore campaign. He joins Tavon Young, Tony Jefferson, Brynden Trawick, and Iman Marshall on injured reserve. That's five, yes five, players in the secondary, not to mention an extended absence for Jimmy Smith with an MCL sprain.
Elliott's replacement is expected to be Bennett Jackson, according to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec. The Ravens are expected to sign the veteran safety off the New York Jets' practice squad. Jackson spent the offseason in Baltimore but did not make the team's 53-man roster.
Ravens working toward signing S Bennett Jackson off Jets practice squad, per sources. Jackson was with Ravens this summer.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec)
October 14, 2019 I've seen clamoring from fans to target the likes of free agents D.J. Swearinger, Eric Berry, and Deone Buccannon. It's certainly a possibility, but Jackson's signing shows the Ravens are looking for a player familiar with the defense to come in and contribute immediately. With Earl Thomas only six games in under Martindale, I'm not sure how much sense it would make to throw in another safety who would have to learn on the fly. Jackson certainly makes the most sense in this situation.
