The Ravens are adding experience to a secondary that struggled to contain Cincinnati during Sunday’s second-half collapse.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Baltimore is signing veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins. The move gives the Ravens another option in the defensive backfield after a 35-13 loss to the Bengals dropped them to 4-3.
Jenkins became available when Pittsburgh released him Oct. 21. The 10th-year veteran appeared in six games with the Steelers this season, making one start and recording 15 tackles. Pittsburgh’s release announcement credited him with 145 career appearances, 93 starts and 11 interceptions.
Baltimore has an immediate need for depth with starting safety Jaylinn Hawkins sidelined by a knee injury. Hawkins missed Sunday’s
game, although coach Jesse Minter indicated the injury was not considered a long-term concern.
The urgency increased against Cincinnati. Joe Burrow completed 16 of 18 second-half passes for 249 yards and four touchdowns as the Bengals scored 35 unanswered points. Baltimore used K’Von Wallace and Keondre Jackson at safety in Hawkins’ absence.
Jenkins brings extensive starting experience, but his role will depend on how quickly he learns the defense and how Baltimore’s injured players progress. For a team preparing to visit Buffalo, the reported addition provides another option as the Ravens work to stabilize their pass defense.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Report: Ravens to sign veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins
