Josh Bynes is back with the Ravens.
The veteran 30-year-old inside linebacker was signed Wednesday, returning to the team six years after his last action in Baltimore.
Bynes spent three seasons with the Ravens (2011-13) and became a starting linebacker during their 2012 Super Bowl-winning season. He helped secure Baltimore's 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII by tackling Ted Ginn Jr. on the game's final play following a free kick.
Bynes joins the 53-man roster after outside linebacker Tim Williams was waived Tuesday. The Ravens have been looking for inside linebacker depth behind Patrick Onwuasor, Kenny Young and Chris Board.
Not surprisingly, Bynes is thrilled to return where his career began.
"It makes you feel comfortable, like you're supposed to be here." Bynes said. "I'm here to just do a job. Being a leader. Being an example, especially to the younger guys. Just playing the game the way it's supposed to be played. Playing for the other guys on the field, because that's what matters."
Baltimore also signed veteran inside linebacker L.J. Fort on Monday after undrafted rookie inside linebacker Ataro Olaka was placed on injured reserve last week due to a hamstring injury. Young and Board are both in their second seasons, and the addition of Fort and Bynes brings more experience to the linebacker room.
Bynes left the Ravens in 2014, one of the team's final roster cuts after they drafted inside linebacker C.J. Mosley in the first round. During that season, Bynes was signed by the Detroit Lions from Baltimore's practice squad. Bynes spent three seasons with the Lions, then played two seasons (2017-18) with the Arizona Cardinals, starting 11 games last season with 52 tackles and two sacks before the Cardinals released him in March.
Seeing the Ravens ranked 27th in the NFL defensively doesn't sit well with Bynes, who hopes to make a difference.
"It means the world to me, playing for this defense," Bynes said. "I played with some great guys. It's only four games in. What does it matter what people are saying right now? Can't worry about that. All we got to do is worry about the end of the season."
