For once this season, the Ravens are getting a player back from injury instead of sending one off because of one. Baltimore has made it official that they are taking defensive end Brent Urban off of the IR-Designated to Return list and onto the 53-man roster.
Coach Harbaugh announced that Brent Urban will come up to the 53-man roster.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 25, 2015
The giant 6-foot-7 lineman was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2014 NFL Draft, but has been hurt the last two seasons, finding himself on injured reserve in 2014 with an ACL injury and on the IR-Designated to Return list in 2015 with a torn biceps. Likely playing in his first game against the Cleveland Browns on Monday, it will be the first time fans have gotten a glimpse of Urban.
Having watched him in training camp this preseason, the thing that stands out is just how big he truly is. While lineman are routinely in the 6-foot-5 range, Urban stands a full head above almost every player on the team and looks like he is pushing 7-foot in person. Adding to his height is his long arms, standing at 34.25 inches, that allows him to full block out a throwing lane. During training camp earlier this year, he was batting down balls on nearly every drive. Seriously, he has been one of my favorite players to watch this preseason and will be a player for you all to watch as well.
Urban has the necessary skills to aid the Ravens as a much needed pass rusher and will likely get looks on that front in practice moving forward. Currently rookie ZaDarius Smith and Courtney Upshaw have disappointed as pass rushers and with only outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil having any impact in pressuring the quarterback regularly, Urban should make an immediate impact for Dean Pees and the Ravens defense.
There has been much hype following Urban since he was drafted and now we'll get our first real look at him for the remainder of the season. While things look bleak right now, it's small things like this that should make Ravens games fun to still watch.