The Ravens moved tight end Nick Boyle from injured reserve to their active roster Monday, clearing the way for him to make his season debut Thursday against the Miami Dolphins.
Boyle has been practicing well, according to coach John Harbaugh, who said he thinks Boyle will be “ready for Thursday.” The 28-year-old hasn’t played since suffering a season-ending knee injury in mid-November last year. He was estimated to be limited in Monday’s walk-through.
“We’ll just have to see where we go with all that stuff,” Harbaugh said Monday. “So he’s in the mix.”
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Thursday that the team would bring Boyle along “gradually” over the season’s second half. Roman called Boyle, one of the NFL’s top blocking tight ends, “a guy that you want to have on your side.”
“Nick obviously has been a really good player for us,” Roman said. “It was a big loss for us last year, but he’s been really working to get back. I mean, Nick is a guy with a unique skill set that keeps getting better. We’re just going to have to bring him into the fold gradually and get him to where he’s feeling really comfortable out there so he can be Nick Boyle.”
The Ravens also designated guard Ben Cleveland to return from IR, meaning the Ravens have 21 days to move the rookie to the 53-man roster or season-ending IR. Cleveland, who had been sharing playing time at left guard with Ben Powers, was carted off the field in Week 5 with a knee injury. He practiced Monday with a brace on his left knee.
With DeShon Elliott lost for the season after suffering a biceps and pectoral injury in Sunday’s win over the Minnesota Vikings, the Ravens placed the safety on IR and re-signed veteran safety Jordan Richards to their practice squad.
Running back Latavius Murray (ankle) and right tackle Patrick Mekari (ankle) also missed Monday’s walk-through, while defensive end Derek Wolfe (back) was not present for the portion open to reporters. Wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (back), wide receiver Sammy Watkins (thigh), defensive tackle Brandon Williams (shoulder) and cornerback Tavon Young (knee) were estimated to be limited.
In Miami, starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (finger) was estimated to be limited. Former Ravens center and current Dolphins starter Greg Mancz (ankle) did not practice, while starting inside linebacker Jerome Baker (knee), reserve safety Brandon Jones (ankle) and reserve defensive back Elijah Campbell were limited.
Asked how the Ravens were preparing for the Dolphins’ uncertainty at quarterback — Jacoby Brissett started in Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans but committed three turnovers — Harbaugh said the defense would “just have to be ready for all the options.”