Sixth-round rookie Tyler Loop has performed well enough to win the Ravens' kicker competition, but how he fares during the preseason will matter.
The Ravens waived undrafted kicker John Hoyland on Saturday in one of several roster moves. Loop is the only kicker remaining in camp, which is a good sign for his chances to be the man heading into Week 1. However, Head Coach John Harbaugh said Hoyland's departure was more about the team needing his roster spot.
"It's probably more about roster than anything else," Harbaugh said. "We definitely weren't planning on making a move. We were planning on John being there at least for one game, maybe two games, maybe all the [preseason] games, depending on how it went.
"If you're the drafted kicker, you certainly have the edge. We wanted to keep the pressure on both of them. But we just had roster moves right now, we just needed certain positions — at tight ends, receivers, running back."
Loop didn't have any live kicks Saturday, but he has been 40-for-44 on field goals so far in training camp.
Harbaugh said Loop had a strong workout Saturday morning at M&T Bank Stadium, before returning to the Under Performance Center for the team's afternoon practice.
"He's kicking well enough to win the job," Harbaugh said. "He had another really good day this morning. They went over to the stadium, and he made them all, so that's all good. But as we know, it's going to be the games that's going to mean the most."
Andrew Vorhees Leads Left Guard Competition
Harbaugh said third-year left guard Andrew Vorhees is leading the competition to start over Ben Cleveland.
Vorhees began the 2024 season as the starter but suffered an ankle injury in Week 3 and was replaced by Patrick Mekari for the remainder of the season. Mekari signed with the Jaguars during the offseason, and Vorhees has reclaimed his position as the frontrunner.
Harbaugh said he could make a final decision on the starter after the Ravens open the preseason at home against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night.
"Andrew Vorhees is in the lead," Harbaugh said. "Something would have to change. I will say, with Ben [Cleveland], he'll tell you, the first, three or four days didn't look too good. Then, the next three or four days looked really good, so [that's] good for Ben. Andrew has looked good all the way through, so he's in the lead at this point."
Ravens Sign Veteran Running Back D'Ernest Johnson
Harbaugh confirmed the Ravens are signing veteran running back D'Ernest Johnson. The 30-year-old Johnson rushed for 143 yards on 32 carries while appearing in 14 games last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. His most productive season was 2021 with the Cleveland Browns, when he rushed for 534 yards and three touchdowns.
In other roster moves, the Ravens signed tight end Baylor Cupp and tight end Scotty Washington, who was on the Ravens' practice squad the last two seasons, along with the addition of veteran defensive end Brent Urban. Defensive end Diwun Black and tight end Sam Pitz were waived along with Hoyland.
Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman both returned to practice on Saturday, while wide receiver Devontez Walker and running back Marcus Major Jr. were absent.
Chuck Pagano Impressed With Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie's Versatility
Chidobe Awuzie, who signed with the Ravens during the offseason, has played primarily at outside corner during his career. However, Senior Defensive Assistant/Secondary Coach Chuck Pagano likes what he has seen from Awuzie, no matter where he has lined up.
"He has good size, he can run – and most of all – his football intelligence," Pagano said. "His football IQ is off the charts.
"We've worked him in there a little bit at dimebacker. I don't know if you guys have noticed that. ... He's a quick study. He's played for a long, long time, so he understands. He knows how to play. He's always in the right spot. So, [if] you get in a pinch, you can't have enough guys like 'Chido' that have versatility, position flexibility like that. That's a bonus for us for sure."
