The Ravens have signed safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to their practice squad.
Gardner-Johnson adds experience and a much-needed playmaker to a Ravens defense that has just two takeaways in the first five games. Only one team has fewer.
Baltimore is banged up in the secondary with safety Kyle Hamilton dealing with a groin injury that sidelined him for Sunday's lopsided loss to the Houston Texans. Undrafted rookie safety Reuben Lowery III played all 70 snaps alongside fellow rookie Malaki Starks.
If elevated to the gameday roster, Gardner-Johnson could help the Ravens this Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, especially if Hamilton can't play.
Gardner-Johnson helped the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl last year, making six interceptions, 12 passes defensed, and 59 tackles in 16 starts. He was a key piece of their ferocious defense.
However, he was traded to the Texans this offseason in a late-round pick swap and for guard Kenyon Green, who is coincidentally now also on the Ravens' practice squad.
Gardner-Johnson started the Texans' first three games and made 15 tackles, but was surprisingly released by the Texans on Sept. 23. Head Coach DeMeco Ryans explained the move by saying, "I know what's best for my team."
Gardner-Johnson has been widely known for having a boisterous personality, which has led to multiple stops so far during his seven-year career. After spending his first three seasons with the New Orleans Saints, Gardner-Johnson has played for the Eagles twice, Lions, Texans, and now Ravens in the past four years. He would have a chance to build his own reputation in Baltimore.
He's been productive wherever he's gone. In addition to last season, Gardner-Johnson also had six interceptions for the Eagles in 2022 and has 18 picks in his career.
Baltimore has been missing safety Ar'Darius Washington since he tore his Achilles in May, which also forced Starks into an immediate full-time starting role. The Ravens also currently have injuries at cornerback with Marlon Humphrey (calf) and Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) sidelined against the Texans.
The Ravens released defensive tackle Josh Tupou from the practice squad to make room for Gardner-Johnson.
