Ravens Release Guard Michael Jordan Amid Offensive Line Issues

Baltimore Adds Guard Michael Jordan to Practice Squad Following Vega Ioane Injury

The move follows a 35-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday where rookie first-round pick Vega Ioane sustained a sprained medial collateral ligament. While the injury is not expected to be a long-term issue, Ioane is set to miss time, compounding an already heavily taxed interior line.

To clear a roster spot for Jordan, the Ravens released veteran running back Jonathan Ward from the practice squad. The transaction leaves Baltimore with three running backs on its active roster and none on the practice squad, signaling that rookie Adam Randall may be nearing a return from a foot injury that sidelined him to start the year.

Evaluating Experience and Depth Up Front

Jordan enters his seventh NFL season with 78 career games and 49 starts under his belt. Selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft by the Cincinnati Bengals out of Ohio State, the 6-foot-6, 315-pound lineman started 19 games across his first two seasons. Stops with the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers followed, with Jordan logging nine starts for the Buccaneers in 2025 and 11 for the Patriots in 2024, largely as injury relief.

We have signed G Michael Jordan to the Practice Squad and released RB Jonathan Ward from Practice Squad. https://t.co/CrtW23T2Cc

— https://x.com/Ravens/status/2115189801746120906

According to Pro Football Focus metrics, Jordan has logged career-best pass-blocking grades of 60.4 in 2024 and 71.1 in 2025, alongside identical 96.8 pass-blocking efficiencies in both campaigns. Jordan spent part of the 2026 offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles before being released during final roster cuts in August.

The offensive line management under head coach Jesse Minter and offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford has faced disruption. Before Ioane’s knee sprain ended a brief experiment at right guard—following a short-lived move to center after acquiring Cam Jurgens from Philadelphia—the Ravens had already managed injuries to Danny Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn, Ethan Pocic, and Andrew Vorhees.

Ravens Sign Veteran Guard Michael Jordan to Practice Squad Following Vega Ioane Injury — Photo: marylandsportsblog.com

The Shuffling Lineup Against Cincinnati

When Ioane exited Sunday’s game against Cincinnati, Emery Jones Jr. stepped in to play the final 51 offensive snaps at right guard. Andrew Vorhees has also dealt with a foot injury, leaving the coaching staff with limited healthy options on the interior as the team sits at 4-3 following consecutive losses to Cleveland and Cincinnati.

While Chuma Edoga remains on the practice squad, he has only one game-day elevation remaining, making Jordan’s arrival a more flexible insurance policy. The veteran will spend time learning the offense and staying ready if called upon, while the active roster continues to sort through injuries and short-yardage offensive struggles.

Ravens sign G Michael Jordan, after Vega Ioane injury https://t.co/cPdeK80vmH

— https://x.com/BmoreBeatdown/status/2115205669636972835

Additional Roster Context and Background

Jordan’s career includes time with multiple franchises after his departure from Cincinnati, where he was waived in September 2021. He was claimed by the Carolina Panthers and installed as their starting left guard, starting 19 games over his first two seasons in the league due in part to Cincinnati’s offensive line injuries before falling out of the game day picture entering 2021.

His release ends his latest stint with Baltimore as the team works to address offensive line issues while Lamar Jackson works toward a return from an ankle injury.