BALTIMORE _ The Ravens will not sign free-agent defensive lineman Michael Brockers, the team announced Friday, parting ways after reportedly feeling uncomfortable about his medical condition.
The Ravens had agreed to a three-year deal for Brockers worth a reported $30 million during the first wave of free agency last week, but the team had yet to finalize the contract. Brockers, one of the NFL's more durable linemen during his eight years with the St. Louis and Los Angeles Rams, hurt his ankle in the team's regular-season finale in December and was carted off the field.
Even as late as Wednesday night, Brockers' agent expressed confidence that the Ravens' signing would be finalized. But with concerns persisting over his ankle, which did not require offseason surgery, Brockers re-signed with the Rams on a three-year deal worth up to $31.5 million, according to the NFL Network.
"Lord you work in Mysterious Ways, but I will Never Doubt or Question your plan. Sorry Ravens But 'I'm Going, Going, Back Back, To Cali, Cali,' " Brockers wrote Friday on Instagram.
Because of the NFL's coronavirus restrictions, the Ravens have not been allowed to send medical personnel to examine players or host players in their facility. Defensive end Calais Campbell, whose trade to the Ravens and contract extension had highlighted the team's makeover of its defensive line, told reporters Thursday that he'd had to undergo his physical at Arizona's Mayo Clinic.
Brockers' deal is the Ravens' second in three years to fall apart because of injury concerns. In 2018, the team voided a four-year, $29 million agreement with wide receiver Ryan Grant after he failed a physical. Like Brockers, Grant had suffered an ankle injury in his 2017 regular-season finale with the Washington Redskins.
Grant later signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts and finished the year with 35 catches for 334 yards. He played in just two games for the Oakland Raiders last year.
With Brockers now off the Ravens' books, the team has about $15 million in salary cap space and a pressing need to readdress its defensive line. Free-agent defensive tackle Michael Pierce signed a three-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings last week, while the Ravens traded defensive end Chris Wormley to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2021 draft pick last Friday.
Defensive tackle Brandon Williams and Campbell are both strong starters, and Jihad Ward, Justin Ellis, Daylon Mack and Patrick Ricard can offer depth along the line. But the team will need to either sign a free agent or address the position through the draft next month.
