The Baltimore Ravens signed center Andrew James and guard Kyle Hergel to their practice squad on Wednesday, per a team announcement, adding much-needed interior offensive line depth after injuries to centers Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic.
In a corresponding move, the team promoted safety K’Von Wallace from the practice squad to the 53-man roster to create space for both signings. As a vested veteran, Wallace can be released and re-signed to the practice squad at any time. He was elevated for the Ravens’
Week 3 matchup in Brazil but did not play in the game.
James, 29, is one of the most experienced centers available. He signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2019 after four years at UCLA and appeared in 12 games as a rookie with one start at center. He remained in the backup job in 2020 before taking over as the full-time starter in 2021. Over the next four years, he started 59 games in Las Vegas, including a career-best 2023 with a 74.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (75.0 run-blocking, 71.2 pass blocking).
The Raiders moved on from James in March 2025 despite signing him to a three-year, $24 million extension almost exactly one year prior. He signed with the Chargers and appeared in all 17 games, but made just one start despite the team’s offensive line woes. The seven-year veteran then joined the Titans this year, but was released during final roster cuts. His experience in Tennessee may give the Ravens some information about their upcoming matchup against the Titans.
James certainly has the experience to step in as the Ravens’ starting center once he is up to speed in Declan Doyle’s offense. The team will evaluate him in practice, as well as rookie guard Vega Ioane, who is poised to start at center in Week 4. Doyle and offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford will have to determine their best center/right guard duo among their options.
Hergel, 26, could factor into the picture, but he is more likely a depth addition for the time being. Like James, he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Saints in 2024. He appeared in eight games as a rookie, but he only played 45 snaps on offense (all at left guard) as an injury replacement.
The Saints waived Hergel during final roster cuts in 2025. He signed with the Bears’ practice squad a few months later and played under Doyle for a few months, giving him some knowledge of the Ravens’ new offense. That could help him get integrated into the unit quickly, but his lack of experience suggests he is a long-shot to contribute on game days in the immediate future.
Hergel worked out in Baltimore on Tuesday along with Graham Glasgow and Kingsley Eguakun. The team will likely continue to keep tabs on available offensive linemen, though those ranks will continue to dwindle as the season drags on. Former Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler signed with the Packers on Tuesday – much to the dismay of fans in Baltimore – but a reunion was never in the cards. Zeitler was interested, according to Cole Jackson of Baltimore Film Breakdown, but the Ravens were not. The team originally let him leave in 2024 due to concerns about his knee; additionally, Baltimore would not have given Zeitler the $5 million contract he received from Green Bay.
