The Baltimore Ravens might have something against anyone with the last name “Hurst” at this point. After agreeing to a deal to trade tight end Hayden Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons, the Ravens announced they have released offensive lineman James Hurst.
According to Over The Cap, a pre-June 1 cut would free up $2.75 million on Baltimore’s 2020 salary cap. A post-June 1 cut would free up $4 million but carry $1.25 million in dead money into the 2021 season.
Hurst was signed to a four-year deal prior to the 2018 season after playing well at guard in 2017. However, Hurst struggled at right tackle in 2018 and eventually lost the starting job to Orlando Brown.
Still, the decision to cut Hurst is a shocking one. Though he’s suspended for the first four games of the 2020 season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, Hurst was thought to be Baltimore’s top backup offensive lineman at both guard and tackle. With Marshal Yanda’s retirement this offseason as well, cutting Hurst puts a pretty big dent in the Ravens’ depth chart.
With Hurst being cut, Andre Smith is the only backup tackle Baltimore has on their roster after re-signing him to a one-year deal this offseason.
