The Baltimore Ravens are signing veteran defensive finish Yannick Ngakoue to their apply squad, a staff supply confirmed Monday, to doubtlessly bolster their cross rush.
Ngakoue, 29, beforehand performed in Baltimore in 2020, recording three sacks, two tackles for loss and two compelled fumbles in 9 video games.
By means of three video games this season, the Ravens (1-2) have given up probably the most passing yards per recreation (291.7) and the sixth-most factors (26.0). Including Ngakoue, a one-time Professional Bowler, may assist. He ranks fifteenth amongst energetic gamers with 69 sacks.
Ngakoue final performed with the Chicago Bears in 2023 on a one-year, $10.5 million contract. He totaled 22 tackles, six tackles for loss and 4 sacks in 13 video games earlier than breaking his ankle on Dec. 10.
The Ravens earned their first win of the season Sunday in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys, 28-25, and can host the Buffalo Payments in Week 4 on Sunday night time.
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What Ngakoue brings to Baltimore
The Ravens led the league in sacks final yr, however they misplaced a giant piece to that pass-rush puzzle when Jadeveon Clowney departed in free company. They didn’t substitute Clowney with a veteran, leaving them closely depending on 33-year-old Kyle Van Noy and a bunch of younger edge rushers taking a step ahead. The early returns have been OK. Van Noy has 4 sacks over the previous two video games.
Former first-round choose Odafe Oweh had 2 1/2 sacks in Week 2. David Ojabo, a 2022 second-round choose, is wholesome once more and displaying indicators of progress. Nevertheless, the Ravens’ stress fee is down from final yr underneath first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr. The Ravens are additionally final within the league in cross protection. Ngakoue is a participant who has proven that he can affect the quarterback. — Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens senior author
Baltimore’s fourth quarter points
The protection’s points have primarily been within the fourth quarter and it has clearly change into a supply of concern for Ravens determination makers. The Ravens blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead in a Week 2 dwelling loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. On Sunday, they watched the Cowboys reel off 19 straight factors within the fourth quarter earlier than the Ravens in the end put away a three-point
Coach John Harbaugh stated Monday that one of many components within the late-game points is the cross rush not being aligned with the protection on the again finish. Ngakoue most likely gained’t be an every-down participant for the Ravens. He’ll doubtless be used as a pass-rush specialist. Nevertheless, he’s loads able to making a play late within the recreation to assist get the Ravens off the sphere. — Zrebiec
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(Photograph: Ryan Kang / Getty Photos)
