The Ravens have promoted tight end Daniel Brown from the practice squad to the active roster.
Brown takes the roster spot created by the release of running back Justin Forsett on Tuesday. Baltimore signed wide receiver Kenny Bell to fill the practice squad vacancy.
Some pundits felt the Ravens would use the roster spot to add tight end Darren Waller, who is back from a four-game suspension. Baltimore still has a week to make a decision on what to do with Waller.
Head Coach John Harbaugh said Brown was close to making the 53-man roster at the end of training camp.
"He's only gotten better," Harbaugh said. "In the last four weeks, he's practiced well. He might be able to help us on special teams as well. He's been doing a good job – had another really good day out here on special teams. He deserves it."
Brown converted from wide receiver to tight end this offseason. The 6-foot-5, 243-pound target from James Madison is in his second year after signing as an undrafted free agent last season.
He'll provide another big-bodied option who can make tough catches in traffic and add some more speed to the tight end corps. Maxx Williams is dealing with a knee injury that knocked him out of the Week 4 game against Oakland.
But perhaps more than what he brings as a receiver, Brown could help Baltimore on special teams. He said that's what Harbaugh talked to him about this week.
"I can play tight end or I can play wide receiver. They like my versatility," Brown said. "But Coach Harbaugh really emphasized special teams."
Brown played in six games last year after being promoted from the practice squad. He made six catches for 64 yards, though the play that stood out most was a 52-yard touchdown catch that was wiped out by a phantom offensive pass interference call. It would have been his first NFL career catch.
Bell tried out for the Ravens Tuesday. A fifth-round pick out of Nebraska last year, Bell spent last year on Tampa Bay's injured reserve list due to a preseason hamstring injury. He didn't have any catches in the team's first two preseason games.
The 6-foot-1, 197-pound prospect was released by the Buccaneers during the 53-man cuts at the end of training camp. Coincidentally, the Bucs selected him using the pick they acquired from Baltimore in the trade involving center Jeremy Zuttah.
