BALTIMORE — The Ravens' experiment with veteran wide receiver Dez Bryant is still awaiting tangible results. But offensive coordinator Greg Roman said if the 32-year-old "keeps progressing, he'll definitely become a factor."
"Dez is doing a good job, he's working hard at practice and meetings. It's good to have him on board," Roman said Thursday in a video conference call.
Signed to the practice squad on Oct. 27, the Ravens elevated Bryant to the active roster for their Week 9 game against the Indianapolis Colts. In his first game in almost three years, Bryant played just two offensive snaps and did not receive a target.
In last Sunday's game against the New England Patriots that was accompanied by constant wind and rain, the Ravens opted against elevating Bryant.
In the two games since Bryant was signed to the practice squad, the Ravens passing offense has continued to be hampered by inconsistency. Quarterback Lamar Jackson struggled in the first half against the Colts but completed all 10 of his pass attempts in the second half.
Against the Patriots, Jackson completed 24 of 34 attempts for 249 yards and two touchdowns but he threw a costly interception in the late seconds of the first half while targeting wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, with whom he has struggled to find a consistent rapport in recent games.
"We'll just keep working and we'll see where that leads moving forward," Roman said of Bryant. "I don't think there's any real timeline right now but I do think that if Dez keeps progressing, he'll definitely become a factor in what we do."
