Ravens Waive S Eddie Jackson

The Ravens have waived veteran safety Eddie Jackson, according to a team announcement, ending his time in Baltimore after just over four months.

Jackson started four games this year with 339 total snaps, but played just 16 snaps against the Bengals in Week 10 before being sidelined as a healthy scratch in Week 11. His 50.3 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) is the lowest of his career and ranks in the bottom 10 among NFL safeties this year.

The veteran safety “wasn’t pleased with [a] reduced role,” per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, and his “frustrations boiled over” ahead of the Ravens’ trip to Pittsburgh. Jackson did not travel with the team last week, and Baltimore’s switch to Kyle Hamilton and Ar’Darius Washington at deep safety led to one of their best pass defense performances of the year.

Jackson will now be subject to waivers, though his struggles this year make it unlikely that he will be claimed, especially since he has not contributed on special teams since 2022. The Ravens will have to absorb Jackson’s $250k signing bonus and the remainder of his $750k of guaranteed salary on the salary cap, per OverTheCap, but another team will cover his salary if he is claimed on waivers. If Jackson clears waivers, he can sign with any team or their practice squad. A return to the Ravens’ practice squad seems unlikely given his recent frustrations.

The Ravens also signed linebacker and core special teamer Kristian Welch to their active roster from their practice squad. Welch had been elevated from the practice squad for the last three games, playing 73% of the team’s special teams snaps. With no more elevations remaining, Baltimore promoted Welch to the 53-man roster to ensure he can play on Monday night against the Chargers.