The Baltimore Ravens added experience to their injury-depleted offensive line Tuesday, signing veteran guard Michael Jordan to the practice squad and releasing running back Jonathan Ward in a corresponding move.
Jordan, 28, has appeared in 78 NFL games with 49 starts, giving Baltimore another experienced option after rookie guard Vega Ioane was lost. The Ravens' first-round pick suffered an MCL sprain in Sunday's 35-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and is expected to miss time, though the injury isn't considered a long-term concern.
The move comes as Baltimore continues to navigate injuries along its offensive line, which has undergone several changes through the first seven games. The Ravens are 4-3 following consecutive losses to Cleveland and Cincinnati, and establishing consistency up front remains a priority for head coach Jesse Minter and offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford.
Michael Jordan brings starting experience to Baltimore
Jordan entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2019 draft after playing at Ohio State. He spent two seasons with Cincinnati before joining the Carolina Panthers, then playing for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jordan appeared in 11 games with nine starts for Tampa Bay in 2025 and spent part of the 2026 offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles before being released during final roster cuts.
The veteran gives Baltimore an experienced interior lineman who has handled starting responsibilities at the NFL level. His addition doesn't necessarily mean he'll join the active roster immediately, but it gives the coaching staff additional depth while it evaluates options following Ioane's injury.
Baltimore has already dealt with injuries to Danny Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic, creating significant uncertainty at center. The Ravens acquired two-time Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens from Philadelphia earlier this month, allowing Ioane to return to right guard after spending time filling in at center. However, that combination lasted less than one quarter against Cincinnati before Ioane suffered his knee injury.
Ravens continue adjusting after Vega Ioane's injury
Ioane has emerged as one of Baltimore's most dependable young offensive linemen, making his absence another significant challenge for a unit that has struggled to establish continuity. The former Penn State standout has handled multiple responsibilities during his rookie season, giving the Ravens flexibility as injuries forced interior changes.
Emery Jones Jr. replaced Ioane against Cincinnati and played the final 51 offensive snaps at right guard. Baltimore also missed Andrew Vorhees with a foot injury, further limiting its options and raising concerns about the team's depth.
Jordan's arrival gives Ledford another veteran to evaluate as Baltimore attempts to stabilize its blocking combinations. The Ravens have struggled to consistently protect their quarterbacks and establish the running game, making offensive line depth especially important as Lamar Jackson works toward a return from an ankle injury.
Ravens release Jonathan Ward from practice squad
Baltimore released Ward to create room for Jordan, ending the veteran running back's latest stint with the organization. Ward joined the Ravens in August after previously spending time with the team during the 2025 season.
The former Central Michigan standout entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020 and has also spent time with the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and New England Patriots. He has appeared in more than 40 regular-season games, contributing primarily on special teams while providing depth at running back.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Baltimore Ravens sign veteran offensive guard Michael Jordan