The Ravens completed their practice squad Monday afternoon with three transactions. There still could be changes, but they have now filled all eight spots.
Baltimore cut undrafted free agent tackle Jordan Devey (Memphis), and re-signed wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard (Towson) and running back Jonas Gray (Notre Dame).
Sheppard was released in the Ravens' first round of cuts, but it was a particularly hard cut to make, according to Head Coach John Harbaugh.
"These are men with dreams and aspirations who work really hard, [like] a Gerrard Sheppard – local guy from Towson who just did a great job for us," Harbaugh said at the time. "He is a really talented, hard-working, good person, and no matter what he does in life, he's going to be amazingly successful."
Gray was an undrafted rookie who originally signed with the Miami Dolphins before last season. The 5-foot-10, 225-pound Fighting Irish standout ran 114 times for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior, but tore his anterior cruciate ligament at the end of his college career.
Gray spent all of last season on Miami's injured reserve, and returned to the field for training camp this year.
He performed well in the preseason too. Gray led the Dolphins with seven carries for 41 yards in the team's preseason opener, then scored two running touchdowns in the next game. He fizzled off somewhat in the remaining preseason games.
"After taking a year off from football, I think I showed a lot of the things I did in college – my physicality, my toughness, my nose for the end zone," Gray said. "I showed good things, but I'm not close to reaching my potential."
The Ravens were in search of a running back after Bobby Rainey was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns. Gray will now serve as the scout-team running back, an important role for preparing the defense.
"I'm glad, like most people, to have a job," Gray said. "I'm excited to work with Coach [Wilbert] Montgomery, I know he's worked with a lot of great running backs. To be able to go against this defense every day, it's definitely a blessing."
