Matt Elam is back. According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), the Ravens have elevated the safety to the active roster. To make room on the roster, the team has waived Robertson Daniel. Zrebiec also notes that the team has waived tight end Nic Jacobs from the practice squad.
Elam started practicing with the Ravens in late October, and the team had three weeks to activate the defensive back from the injured reserve. The team originally placed the 25-year-old on the IR in September after the safety was forced to undergo knee surgery. The Florida product was the team’s first-round pick back in 2013, and he started 26 of his 32 games between 2013 and 2014. Elam missed all of the 2015 campaign with a biceps injury, so he’ll be taking an NFL field for the first time in nearly two years. The safety has collected 127 tackles and seven passes defended during his career. Elam will presumably slide into a reserve role behind safeties Eric Weddle and Lardarius Webb.
“It’s a blessing, man. I can’t wait,” Elam said after Friday’s practice (via Zrebiec). “To come back [with] the first game against the Steelers, it’s very exciting. I’m so excited to get back out there and happy to get back out there if I get a chance.”
As the Ravens welcome back one defensive back, they’ve cut bait with another. Daniel, an undrafted free agent in 2015, was promoted to the active roster in late October. Meanwhile, it’s a bit of a surprise that the team decided to waive Jacobs as opposed to promoting the former McNeese State standout. As Zrebiec notes, the team will only have two healthy tight ends (Dennis Pitta and Darren Waller) for their upcoming game against the Steelers.