The Baltimore Ravens have their 53-man roster set, and the practice squad is taking shape right behind it. With the biggest cuts behind them, the team can turn its attention to the field and the work that comes before the regular season.
That process brought a few familiar names back into the building, and two of the most encouraging were Rayshaun Benny and Kaimon Rucker. Both were among Baltimore’s hardest decisions this summer after turning heads in camp and preseason, only to get squeezed out of the active roster. Now they’re back in purple and black.
That’s a win for the Ravens, especially because releasing young players always comes with some risk. This time, Baltimore only lost one player on waivers: Corey Bullock, who was claimed by the Carolina Panthers. Even so, the Ravens can’t take much for granted when talent like Benny and Rucker is sitting out there.
Benny, a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, had been talked up as a draft steal. He didn’t break into the defensive line rotation, with John Jenkins, Broderick Washington, and Aeneas Peebles holding those spots in what will be a six-man group.
Still, the door is not closed. If he keeps making progress with the coaches and teammates, his opportunity should come.
There’s also a clear path for Benny to keep building toward next year. Washington is coming off a rough stretch since signing an extension in 2023, while Campbell and Jenkins are veterans deep into their careers and playing on one-year deals. If things go sideways along the defensive front in 2026, Benny could even find his way onto the roster this season.
Rucker’s path was different, but the result was the same. He was a preseason standout again, flashing real juice as a pass rusher off the edge. Baltimore’s depth at that spot made the final cut too steep, though.
That doesn’t make his return any less useful. Rucker landing on the practice squad, along with Adisa Isaac, gives the Ravens exactly the kind of depth they want after struggling to generate consistent pressure last season. Right now, it looks like a group that can go four deep off the edge from the jump, and if development keeps moving in the right direction, Baltimore could have plenty of options for getting after opposing quarterbacks.
Practice squad players don’t always get the spotlight, but Benny and Rucker matter. Injuries are part of the game, and having two young players who already showed they belong in camp gives the Ravens a little more insurance.
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Ravens Cut Decisions Spark Real Debate After Crowded Preseason Battles
Baltimores roster crunch after a competitive preseason left plenty of room for disagreement, and the Ravens initial 53-man cutdown reflected just how tight several position battles had become. Staff writers dug into the decisions that stood out most, with Andrew Vorhees, Rayshaun Benny and Corey Bullock among the names drawing the strongest reaction as the team tried to balance upside, depth and immediate need.
Those kinds of moves always invite a second guess, especially when a roster is built with so little separation from top to bottom. For the Ravens, the question now is not only which surprises were most painful in the short term, but how those choices shape the teams depth and flexibility as the season gets underway. [Read more 🡒]