The Ravens waived wide receiver Aaron Mellette and outside linebacker Adrian Hamilton Tuesday afternoon on the eve of minicamp.
Both young players spent last year on injured reserve and were attempting comebacks this season. They were both waived after failing physicals.
Mellette was a seventh-round pick last year out of Elon. He played well during last preseason, catching nine passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
But his knee bothered him throughout training camp and the preseason, and he was placed on injured reserve after the season-opening game against Denver. He had surgery soon after, but struggled to come back.
About eight months after his surgery, Mellette was sidelined during the first week of organized team activities (OTAs) because of lingering issues. He was on the field the past two weeks participating in practice, and showed some flashes of his old self.
Hamilton was an undrafted pass rusher with high upside. He led the nation in sacks (22) at Prairie View A&M in 2011, and was named the Football Championship Subdivision Defensive Player of the Year.
The Ravens signed Hamilton after he was cut by the Dallas Cowboys in 2012, and he spent that season on the practice squad. Last year, Hamilton had bright spots in training camp, but eventually was sent to injured reserve with a wrist injury.
The Ravens could re-sign one or both of the players. They could be making room for other roster moves. Baltimore reportedly will have four veteran cornerbacks trying out during minicamp.
