Ravens' David Ojabo: Feels better than pre-Achilles tear
Rotowire
Ojabo said Wednesday that he's added 5-to-10 pounds of muscle this offseason and currently feels "more explosive" than he did before his Achilles tear in March 2022, Clifton Brown of the Ravens' official website reports.
Ojabo was widely projected as a first-round pick prior to the injury at his pro day last March and went 45th overall even with no expectation of rookie-year contributions. The linebacker made his NFL debut nine months after the injury but played only 23 defensive snaps in three appearances (including playoffs) over Baltimore's final five games. Ojabo did have a strip-sack on one of those snaps, Week 18 at Cincinnati, and he'll have every chance to earn a lot of playing time in 2023 after the Ravens relied on 30-something OLBs Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul (both free agents as of mid-May) for 923 combined snaps last year. Odafe Oweh and Tyus Bowser are Baltimore's returning edge rushers with significant NFL experience, but the former has only eight sacks in 32 career games (1,249 snaps) and the latter 19.5 in 89 (2,443 snaps). In addition to his pass-rushing upside, Ojabo is plenty big enough to handle early down snaps, especially if he's now up to around 255-260 pounds (he weighed 250 at the 2022 Combine).
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Ravens' David Ojabo: Available Saturday
Rotowire
Ojabo is active for Saturday's game at the Browns, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
After missing the first 13 games of the season recovering from an Achilles tear he sustained all the way back in March, Ojabo appears to be in line to make his NFL debut in Week 15. The rookie second-rounder will likely be eased into action in a rotational role, at least to start.
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Ravens' David Ojabo: Remains sidelined
Rotowire
Ojabo (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Jaguars.
Ojabo will have to wait another week to make his NFL debut. The rookie has been slowly brought back from his Achilles tear, as the team continues to ramp up his workload in practice each week. He'll work to earn the chance to debut Week 13 against the Broncos.
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Ravens' David Ojabo: Sitting out Sunday
Rotowire
Ojabo (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Panthers, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
Ojabo will have to wait at least one more week to make his NFL debut. Although the rookie linebacker is considered healthy, head coach John Harbaugh would like to continue ramping up his activity level in practice before he debuts.
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Ravens' David Ojabo: Will be activated from NFI list
Rotowire
The Ravens will activate Ojabo (Achilles) to the 53-man roster this week, Clifton Brown of the team's official site reports.
Ojabo started his rookie campaign on Baltimore's reserve/non-football injury list after tearing his Achilles during the pre-draft process in March. The second-round pick was designated to return Oct. 12, but he's set to practice Wednesday and may be able to play in next Monday night's matchup versus the Saints. Ojabo recorded 11 sacks during his final collegiate season with Michigan and was considered a first-round talent prior to his injury, so his availability could be a major boost for the Ravens' undermanned pass-rushing corps.
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Ravens' David Ojabo: Placed on reserve/NFI list
Rotowire
The Ravens placed Ojabo (Achilles) on the reserve/non-football injury list Thursday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Ojabo sustained a torn Achilles' tendon during Michigan's pro day in March and remained sidelined throughout training camp. With the move, he'll be forced to miss at least the first four games of the regular season, but he said earlier in August that he hopes to be back in action by midseason at the latest.
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Ravens' David Ojabo: Finally signs deal
Rotowire
Ojabo (Achilles) signed a contract with the Ravens on Wednesday Todd Karpovich of SI.com reports.
OJabo was the final player selected in the 2022 Draft to put pen to paper on a deal. The torn Achilles' tendon Ojabo suffered during Michigan's pro day may have factored into his late signing, but now that he's on the books for Baltimore, the rookie linebacker can conduct his rehab in a team setting. The Ravens haven't put an official timeline on Ojabo's return, but he's unlikely to be ready for Week 1.
