On Saturday, the Baltimore Ravens have announced that they promoted quarterback Bryn Renner and wide receiver Chris Matthews from the practice squad. The team waived rookie offensive lineman Kaleb Johnson to clear space on its active roster. Baltimore also placed Eugene Monroe on injured reserve, a move that could end the left tackle's time with the team this season.
The decision to activate Renner comes only three days after he was signed to the practice squad. It could also serve as an indication that starting quarterback Matt Schaub may not be able to play against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Matthews has been on Baltimore's practice squad for the past three weeks. In last February's Super Bowl, the 26-year-old wide receiver made four receptions for 109 yards with a touchdown for the Seahawks.
Since Schaub is questionable for Sunday, Renner could serve as an alternative for fellow quarterback Jimmy Clausen if the former is placed on the inactive list. Clausen has only been with the team for less than a month and is expected to be the starting QB in the upcoming Seahawks match.
Schaub did not join his teammates for practice in the past week following an intense match against Miami Dolphins. He was then officially listed as questionable on the Ravens' final injury report.
Furthermore, offensive tackle Eugene Monroe was also declared out of the said game against Seattle due to a shoulder injury. For this season, he started six games but finished only three of them. The move to place Monroe to the team's injured reserve list is disappointing but not surprising, NBC Sports observed.
Baltimore acquired him via trade two years ago and agreed to him to a five-year contract in hopes that he would be their long-term left tackle. Monroe's challenging year comes in the second season of that five-year, $37 million deal. He already missed 12 out of a possible 30 games since signing the contract.
"It's just unfortunate for Eugene. He has had the shoulder issues that have been nagging him. Between him, his doctor and his agent, he'll have to make a decision about whether he wants to play with it for the rest of the year," Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh mentioned earlier this week.
Baltimore now has an MLB-high of 17 players on injured reserve, including offensive players Steve Smith, Justin Forset and Joe Flacco. Wide receiver Breshad Perriman sustained an injury during training camp and is also out for the year.
