Jah Reid finally had a chance to play.
The second-year offensive lineman played the majority of Sunday's 55-20 victory over the Raiders at left guard, which was the first time of Reid's career that he's played significant minutes in a game.
So how did he perform?
"He did great," left tackle Michael Oher said. "He's been working hard since he's been here and it's good to see him succeed once he got on the field."
Reid played 51 of the 65 offensive snaps, according to the statistical analysis website Pro Football Focus. The website grades each play (from -2.0 to 2.0) and averages them out to come up with an overall grade (more detailed explanation). Reid allowed just one quarterback hurry on the day and received positive grades in both run ( 0.6) and pass blocking ( 0.2). The only blemish on his day was getting hit with a 10-yard penalty in the second quarter for illegal use of hands (-0.8).
Reid graded out as the third-best offensive lineman behind Oher and Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda.
"I had some mistakes that I need to improve," Reid said. "But to go out there and play football again, it was great."
Before Sunday, Reid had only been used as an extra blocker in jumbo formations, and never played more than 10 snaps in a game.
The former third round pick took over for veteran Bobbie Williams after the first two series on Sunday. Williams has been dealing with an ankle injury and the Ravens wanted to give him some rest, but they also wanted to see what Reid could do in game action.
"Jah Reid has really been coming on and practicing well," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "What Jah needs is playing time. He needs experience, he needs snaps on the field, so it was our plan to start him out there in the third series no matter what and then play him as much as we could."
Reid's performance on Sunday came after a trying start to the 2012 season, which was stalled by a calf injury that limited him all preseason. He missed nearly all of training camp because of the injury and was then inactive for the first seven games of the regular season.
He has been active the last two weeks, and could become a regular part of the mix on the line. Harbaugh has indicated recently that the Ravens may use more of a rotation along the line, and Reid's game on Sunday demonstrated that he could be ready to step into a more prominent role.
"I don't know who will get the bulk of it, but I anticipate both of those guys playing in there," Harbaugh said about Reid and Williams.
"The more playing time, the happier I am," Reid said. "Of course I want to work in there. This is a great offensive line, great team, and being able to go out there and help the team meant so much to me."
