T.J. Tampa Activated From Injured Reserve
Ravens rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa has been activated to the 53-man roster off injured reserve.
Tampa went on injured reserve on Oct. 26 with an ankle injury. The fourth-round pick out of Iowa State has played in four games this season and made one tackle. He saw just eight defensive snaps but played 77% of the special teams snaps.
Tampa's return will add to the cornerback depth with Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring) ruled out for Saturday's game.
Malik Harrison Is 'Playing Free and Confident' With More Reps
Malik Harrison has earned a consistent role in the Ravens' linebacker rotation, and he's intent on making the most of it.
Playing a career-high 54 defensive snaps in Baltimore's 35-14 victory over the New York Giants, Harrison continued an upward trend in playing time that began four weeks ago. His physicality and experience have helped solidify Baltimore's defense, and he's grateful for the opportunity.
"It feels good, it's like a reward for me," said Harrison, who's in his fifth season with the Ravens. "I always dreamed of having this opportunity. I had it earlier in my career, but it slipped away. This time, I feel like I have a good grasp of things.
"I'm studying more, and getting more reps. That combination allows me not to think as much and lets me go out there playing free and confident in my decision-making."
In Week 12 when Roquan Smith (hamstring) didn't play against the Los Angeles Chargers, Harrison had a career-high 13 tackles in a 30-23 victory and was the team's highest-graded defensive player, according to Pro Football Focus.
Chris Board and Trenton Simpson are also part of the inside linebacker rotation next to Smith, but Harrison has played at least 68% of the defensive snaps over the last three games. He is stoked for Saturday's key AFC North matchup against the Steelers, a team the Ravens have only beaten once since Harrison was drafted in 2020.
"That definitely bothers me," Harrison said. "I've only beaten them once, and I've been here for five years. That's crazy. It irritates me."
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Harrison is made for the physicality of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry. As Smith said following the Ravens' win over the Giants, Harrison will "knock your facemask off."
The Ravens lost to Pittsburgh, 18-16, in Week 11 but held the Steelers without a touchdown. Harrison says Baltimore's defense feels even more locked in for the rematch, which he will be a bigger part of.
"It's been that way since the second Cincinnati game (Week 10)," Harrison said. "I think we've been harder on each other, more accountable, holding everybody to the standard that we want to play. We had tough times and tough talks, but we got through it. Now we're playing well."
Isaiah Likely 'Staying Ready' For More Targets
With Rashod Bateman (foot) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) questionable to play, tight end Isaiah Likely could be a player who has a bigger role in the offense on Saturday.
Likely was targeted 12 times when he had a career-high 111 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 and says he's always prepared if the ball comes his way.
"Just staying ready," Likely said. "The blessing [is] to have that kind of explosive offense where it could be run or pass.
"[I'm] harping on the little things when you go into the game, so when your number is called, those big plays happen, so they got to keep honest to everybody."
Ravens Will Focus on Technique, Not Officiating Crews
The Ravens lead the league in penalties and avoiding flags will be one of the keys to Saturday's game. Head Coach John Harbaugh was asked if he pays close attention to the way different officiating crews call games.
"Yes and no, because you can never say that this crews calls this more – I've learned that," Harbaugh said. "[You say], 'They call more holding. They call more pass interference. They never call defensive holding.' The next thing you know, flags fly or they don't fly.
"We're privy to what they're telling the guys, we have an understanding to what they're telling the crews, so we try keep our guys updated on that. What are they looking for with holding? What are they looking for with pass interference? And try to train the guys as much as you can."
Harbaugh said the onus is on the Ravens to reduce the number of penalties called against them.
"The bottom line really, is just play the technique as best as you can, the way it's coached in every circumstance, and the penalties should come down," Harbaugh said. "They really should by playing good technique, and we'll be chasing that in this game for sure."
