Baltimore is bringing back a familiar face to bolster its pass rush.
The Ravens have signed edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue to their practice squad, per the NFL's transaction wire.
ESPN first reported the news.
Ngakoue, 29, had languished on the free-agent market all offseason and three weeks into the 2024 campaign. The ninth-year defensive end played 13 games for the Chicago Bears in 2023, totaling four sacks, six tackles for loss and seven QB hits.
The move to the Ravens will be Ngakoue's sixth change in residence in five years; the veteran has played for Jacksonville, Minnesota, Baltimore, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Chicago and now Baltimore again since 2019. Ngakoue's previous stint with the Ravens lasted nine games in 2020, when he racked up three sacks for John Harbaugh and Co. after a midseason trade from the Vikings.
Ngakoue will look to add some juice to a 2024 Ravens defense that currently ranks 17th in sack rate and 32nd in passing yards allowed per game (291.7).
The veteran edge rusher said in May he wanted to "re-establish" himself as one of the league's best pass rushers and wait for a "perfect opportunity" to arise. He appears to have found one in Baltimore.
We'll see if Ngakoue makes his debut for the 1-2 Ravens this week when they host the Buffalo Bills (3-0) on Sunday Night Football on Sept. 29.
