At this time every year, a few teams make some really tough decisions and end the tenure of a player that seemed like a lock. The Baltimore Ravens made one such decision on Friday. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and confirmed by The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, the Ravens have released defensive tackle Willie Henry.
Henry had been a disappointment this offseason. He had been widely considered one of Baltimore’s breakout candidates this season but found himself playing all 60 minutes of the final preseason game. Guys with a guaranteed job don’t play the final half of the final preseason game in the NFL. Henry had just one tackle and had generated just one quarterback hit through four preseason games.
Henry also has an extensive injury history playing against him. He missed all but three games last year due to a back injury and missed all of the 2016 season on injured reserve. After his lackluster showing this offseason and the emergence of Patrick Ricard, clearly Baltimore felt they could get along just fine without him.
Henry’s release opens the door for guys like Daylon Mack, Zach Sieler and Gerald Willis to make the Ravens’ 53-man roster.
