Ravens sign Brown to practice squad
Published 9:21 pm Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Former Isle of Wight Academy football standout Daniel Brown was cut by the Baltimore Ravens last week, but that did not end up meaning his NFL experience was over.
BaltimoreRavens.com reported Ravens coach John Harbaugh suggested on Thursday that Brown could be a potential practice squad player, and that proved to be true.
After the 6-foot-5-inch wide receiver cleared waivers, Baltimore signed him to its 10-man practice squad.
The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec noted in a recent story that the Ravens are known as one of the NFL’s more aggressive teams in building their practice squad and are willing to pay higher salaries to retain or acquire a coveted player.
Consequently, when an opening on the active 53-man roster arises, Baltimore often chooses to promote from the practice squad.
This could bode well for Brown’s chances in the future.
Another possibility is that he could be snatched up by another team. At any point during the season, practice squad players can be signed to another team’s active roster.
Brown, also a standout at James Madison University, drew some positive attention to his name due to his play in the preseason, causing some to be surprised the Ravens did not make him a part of their 53-man roster.
In addition to turning the first pass thrown his way into a 28-yard touchdown on Aug. 22 against the host Philadelphia Eagles, he spearheaded a last-minute rally against the Atlanta Falcons in the Ravens’ preseason finale on Sept. 3 that came up just short.
Brown blocked an Atlanta punt with 50 seconds remaining in regulation, giving visiting Baltimore the ball on the Falcons’ 10-yard line. Two plays later, he caught a 10-yard touchdown pass, making the score 20-19. Unfortunately, the Ravens could not pull off the two-point conversion for the win.
The former IWA Charger was targeted by four passes and finished the game with three catches for 30 yards and a score.