The Ravens activated three defensive players off the Reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday: defensive linemen Brandon Williams and Justin Madubuike, and outside linebacker Justin Houston.
All three missed Sunday's 19-17 victory over the Detroit Lions after being placed on the Reserve/COVID 19 list Friday. Their return fortifies the Ravens' defense as they take a two-game winning streak into their Week 4 road game against the unbeaten Denver Broncos (3-0).
Williams has been a key starter on the defensive line during his nine seasons with the Ravens as one of the league's best run-stoppers. Since Williams became a starter in 2014, the Ravens are 55-34 during the regular season when he has played and 4-6 when he has not.
Madubuike has become a consistent member of the defensive line rotation during his second season and played 49 percent of the defensive snaps during Baltimore's Week 2 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the third-highest snap percentage of his career.
Houston has 97.5 career sacks and has been one of the NFL's best pass rushers over his 11-year career. He signed with the Ravens as a free agent during the offseason and has added depth and experience to their defense. Houston had a quarterback hit in each of Baltimore's first two games, playing 65 percent of the defensive snaps in Week 1 and 53 percent in Week 2.
