The Ravens have waived outside linebacker Tim Williams, a third-round pick from Alabama in 2017 whose playing time had diminished over the past several weeks.
Williams did not have a sack this season and played a season-low seven snaps during Baltimore's 40-25 loss to Cleveland in Week 4. Baltimore had just one quarterback hit on Baker Mayfield on Sunday – a sack by outside linebacker Tyus Bowser on the first series of the game. Used as a situational pass rusher behind starting outside linebackers Matthew Judon and Pernell McPhee, Williams had two tackles in four games, struggling to set the edge as a run defender.
Head Coach John Harbaugh spoke last week about the Ravens' need to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and commented on Bowser and Williams when asked about them specifically.
"They need to be better," Harbaugh said. "We need to get more pressure, more sacks from those guys. They'll probably tell you they need more reps. I would say earn more reps by doing something about it."
Williams had an opportunity to play a larger role on defense this year, after the departure of pass rushers Terrell Suggs and Za'Darius Smith during free agency. Williams had two sacks last season, made the 53-man roster during the preseason and dressed for all four regular season games.
However, increased playing time for Williams at the start of the season did not translate into more production. After playing a season-high 30 snaps in Week 2, Williams saw just 15 snaps in Week 3 before his season-low participation on Sunday.
