There hasn't been much action for Ravens rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker this season, but he and other reserves got a bite of the Big Apple Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Walker's first career catch was a touchdown, as he hauled in a 21-yard pass from Lamar Jackson in the third quarter of Sunday's 35-14 blowout against the New York Giants.
It was a deceptive play, as Jackson rolled to his right on third-and-1, looking like he was going to run. He then stopped and threw to an open Walker, who dragged his toes in the back of the end zone.
It was so good that Walker even has a new nickname from Jackson – Tez Toe Tap.
With an extra day of practice after the bye, the Ravens put that play in on Monday, and Walker said it was the only one with his number beside it.
"I made it my job to study it [and] know it. That's what I did all week," Walker said.
"I'm trying not to fanboy [about it], but obviously, it's crazy. Lamar is somebody I grew up in middle school [and] high school watching, and to be able to catch a touchdown from him – it's a really good feeling."
A fourth-round pick out of North Carolina, Walker had played just six offensive snaps in five games entering the day.
In the Ravens' loaded wide receiver room with Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Tylan Wallace, and the suspended Diontae Johnson, there hasn't been many opportunities for Walker, but he made his first count.
"I didn't have too many [emotions]," Walker said. "In my head, it's like, 'This is what I do,' because that was my whole college tape – making big plays down the field. When the opportunity presented itself, I went out there and made it happen."
Teammates mobbed Walker after his first score, but he joked that he couldn't get too excited because he had to go back on special teams on the next play.
"I think it put more confidence in everybody to trust me to go out there and make plays for the team," Walker said. "But it was a good feeling. It lets me know that I belong here, and there's many more to come, hopefully."
Walker wasn't the only reserve to get playing time in the Ravens' blowout, as Baltimore pulled several starters in the fourth quarter.
Rookie running back Rasheen Ali got eight carries, which he took for 32 yards. Pass rusher David Ojabo was active and got a sack. Ben Cleveland replaced Tyler Linderbaum at center and Andrew Vorhees took over for Patrick Mekari in the fourth quarter.
"For Ali to get those carries and to get hit and to feel what it's like, that's massive. He did a great job," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "For the linemen to get in there and get those reps, I can't wait to see those guys on tape and see how they did, and I think they did well. Same thing on defense. Obviously, you hope to be in a position to do that. You have to earn it, and our guys earned it."
