On the day the Baltimore Ravens added to their already fearsome defensive line by trading for pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue, another defensive lineman came back to the team. The Ravens announced they’ve activated defensive tackle Brandon Williams from the reserve/COVID-19 list, making him eligible to practice and play.
Williams was a last-second scratch from Baltimore’s Week 6 tilt against the Philadelphia Eagles, getting moved to the COVID-19 list the day before the game. Though he didn’t test positive himself, Williams was in close contact with someone who had come down with the virus. Per the NFL’s rules, any player that is in close contact with someone who has the virus, they need to quarantine for at least five days while still being tested for COVID-19.
Though the Ravens have a bye this week and won’t play a game, getting Williams back on the practice field is an important step forward. Following the Ngakoue trade, Baltimore is likely to reshuffle their defensive line slightly, which could impact what the team asks Williams to do on a regular basis. Getting everyone together and on the same page ahead of their Week 8 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers will hopefully see dramatic changes to the unit’s production on the field.
At the very least, it means Williams is healthy and ready to line up again. For a Ravens team that is fighting in a very tough AFC North division, getting a Pro Bowl player back on the field is a pretty big deal.
