The Baltimore Ravens signed veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins to their practice squad on Monday, per the NFL’s daily personnel notice.
Jenkins, 32, is a 10-year veteran who appeared in the Steelers’ first six games this season. He served as the No. 3 safety in his first two games, started in Week 3, and saw his snap count collapse in the following contest. Jenkins was relegated to special teams duties in Weeks 5 and 6 before his release last week, which corresponded with former Raven DeShon Elliot’s return from injured reserve.
Baltimore needed some safety depth with Jaylinn Hawkins dealing with a knee injury. He did not practice last week and missed Sunday’s game against the Bengals, elevating K’Von Wallace and Keondre Jackson into their first significant defensive snaps of the season. Wallace delivered some mighty hits, but both were exposed in coverage during Cincinnati’s second-half onslaught.
Jenkins adds some experienced depth to the safety room as well as Anthony Levine’s special teams units. He has spent time with a variety of defensive coordinators during his decade in the NFL, including 13 appearances (nine starts) on Mike Macdonald’s Seahawks in 2024. That should help him quickly learn Jesse Minter’s defense.
The Ravens will likely roll with Wallace and Jackson as their rotational safeties on game day for another week, but if the secondary’s struggles continue, Jenkins could get an opportunity. He has primarily lined up as a free safety and in the box in his career with a decent track record as a blitzer. If Minter wants to deply Hamilton at free safety more often, Jenkins could take on some of his box snaps and pass-rushing duties, though he certainly cannot fill Hamilton’s diverse, one-of-one role.
Originally a Chargers fourth-round pick in 2017, Jenkins earned a starting job in his third season. He led the defense with five interceptions over the next two years and ranked second with 84 tackles in 2020. His performance earned him a four-year, $35 million deal from the Jaguars in free agency in 2021. Jenkins started for three years in Jacksonville before moving to Seattle. Last year, he appeared in every game for the Browns with three starts and played 26% of the their defensive snaps and 51% of their special teams snaps.