Tandon Doss finally got the opportunity he'd been waiting for the last year and a half.
With the offense struggling in the first half of last week's game against the Browns, the Ravens turned to their second-year wide receiver in a clutch situation. Quarterback Joe Flacco lofted a third-down pass across the middle of the field, putting it where only Doss had a chance to get it.
He outran the coverage and hauled in the pass via his fully-outstretched arms for the 39-yard gain, setting up the Ravens' first score of the game.
"I needed that catch," Doss said. "Bad."
The catch was just the second of Doss' career, but could signify the beginning of big things to come.
"It was good to see him kind of break out a little bit," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "He is going to be a threat and a factor for the rest of the season. People are going to have to keep a close eye on him."
The former fourth-round pick out of Indiana is starting to get acclimated to the Ravens offense. He was a non-factor during his rookie season, playing in just six games and registering no catches.
He came into this year's training camp with big expectations, but was hit with the injury bug early in camp. He dealt with a nagging hamstring injury that limited his practice time and held him out of the first preseason game.
The hamstring injury now behind him, Doss' focus is to get used to playing the game at full speed.
"It's been a while since I've been healthy," Doss said. "Now it's just getting used to playing again, getting back out there, getting the speed of the game down."
Doss has gotten limited opportunities on offense through the first four games of the year. He's rotated with Jacoby Jones in three-wide sets and also comes into the game when the Ravens go with four wideouts.
Doss has 44 offensive snaps on the year, which has already surpassed last season's total of 32 plays.
"It felt good to get out there and show people what I can do," Doss said. "It's been stressful for me not being able to play, but hopefully, there will be more opportunities."
Spending most of last season watching from the sidelines and then dealing with the injury problems was frustrating for Doss, and the coaching staff recognized how much he wanted an opportunity to succeed.
"He has great ball skills, and he wants to do well," Harbaugh said. "He has been wanting to do well. So, it's good to see that."
Doss' playing time has been on the rise throughout this season, especially as the Ravens are running an up-tempo approach and Flacco is spreading the ball all over the field. Doss says that he loves the no-huddle offense, and he's looking for plays like the one against Cleveland to become the norm.
"I have high expectations for myself," Doss said. "Obviously everyone wants to come in and contribute, you know. I got a chance to do that this past week and hopefully I get more looks and more playing time."
Harbaugh shares that expectation.
"I just think the world of Tandon," Harbaugh said. "I think he is really going to be a good player."
