The Baltimore Ravens are entering regular-season mode this week as they transition out of training camp and turn their focus on their Week 1 opponent, the Cleveland Browns. Part of that transition is trimming down their roster from 80 players to 53 ahead of Saturday’s deadline. Though there will be some really tough decisions that will likely come down to the wire, some are going to be far easier. That’s the case as Baltimore has already begun trimming their roster well ahead of the deadline, making three cuts on Monday.
According to the Ravens, they’ve waived outside linebacker John Daka, wide receiver Michael Dereus, and center Sean Pollard. The team also placed wide receiver DeAndrew White on injured reserve. The moves take Baltimore down to 76 players on the roster, with another 23 left to make over the next five days.
All three cuts were expected considering they were undrafted free agents who signed with the Ravens following the 2020 NFL Draft. Dereus and Pollard had an uphill battle to make the team with Baltimore selecting two wide receivers and two offensive linemen in April’s draft on top of the already impressive depth on the roster.
Daka was one of three UDFA outside linebackers the Ravens brought in this offseason. With limited depth behind Matthew Judon and the team not using one of their 10 picks in the 2020 NFL Draft to address the position, the UDFAs were expected to have a better than average chance of making Baltimore’s 53-man roster. While Daka is among the first cuts, this could be a case where the Ravens are hoping to sneak him through to their practice squad where they can continue his development this season for another shot next year.
White was signed just last week following a workout that also included wide receiver Dez Bryant. White quickly impressed Harbaugh, earning a positive review of his first day in a Ravens uniform.
“He looked good out there today, didn’t he? He came out about halfway through practice – maybe before that – and jumped out and made a couple catches,” Harbaugh said following White’s first practice. “So, he looked good. I had a chance to chat with him briefly after practice. He’s in great spirits. He’s appreciative of the opportunity.”
White joins cornerback Iman Marshall and wide receiver Antoine Wesley on Baltimore’s injured reserve list.
