The Ravens brought back a familiar face Tuesday morning, signing defensive back Asa Jackson to their practice squad.
It's not the first time Jackson has been brought back after heading elsewhere.
Jackson, a 2012 fifth-round pick of the Ravens, didn't make the team out of training camp last year and was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants. He was waived by them after just two days and signed back to the Ravens practice squad.
About a month later, he was promoted to the active roster and played in four games, making one tackle. An ankle injury spelled his release from the Ravens.
Jackson bounced to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad to finish the season, then signed a futures contract with the Arizona Cardinals and worked there throughout the summer. He didn't make the team out of training camp.
The 5-foot-10, 183-pound Cal Poly product is a quick-twitch, competitive defensive back who also has return skills, something the Ravens could be in need of if Devin Hester (thigh) doesn't return to the field soon.
Preseason fumbles as a punt returner were a large reason Jackson didn't make the team out of training camp last year, however.
The Ravens released guard Garrett Reynolds from the practice squad to make room for Jackson.
Baltimore will also welcome running back Lorenzo Taliaferro back from the reserve/physically unable to perform list on Tuesday. Taliaferro has been hampered by foot injuries throughout his three-year career. He ran for 292 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie in 2014.
Baltimore seems set at running back with Terrance West, rookie fourth-round pick Kenneth Dixon and Javorius Allen, but Taliaferro will have three weeks to prove himself and try to earn a roster spot. Allen has had just seven carries and three catches this year, so if Taliaferro can show he offers more on special teams, he could have a job.
