The Ravens have cleared the way for safety Will Hill to make his Baltimore debut.
Hill was moved to the active roster Saturday, making him eligible to play this week against the Atlanta Falcons. To clear room for Hill on the 53-man squad, the Ravens placed backup defensive lineman Christo Bilukidi on injured reserve after he suffered an ankle injury last week.
The Ravens also had the possibility of moving defensive tackle Terrence Cody to the active roster from the physically unable to perform list, but opted to wait on that decision. Cody can still practice for two more weeks before the Ravens would have to move him to the 53-man squad.
Hill, 24, practiced all week after serving a six-game suspension to open the season. The Ravens could have waited until next week to activate him, but he said during the week that he would "definitely" be ready to play Sunday.
"Not a doubt in my mind," Hill said. "I know how hard I've worked and how prepared I am right now. I've been preparing this whole time, so there's no doubt in my mind."
While Sunday would be Hill's first game with the Ravens, he does have experience in the defense from his time in training camp. He was able to practice during training camp and play in the preseason, and he also attended team meetings during his suspension.
Hill could play a significant role in the secondary, as he was one of the NFL's best free safeties last year during his 10 games with the New York Giants. He had 77 tackles, two passes defensed, two interceptions, a touchdown and two forced fumbles last season.
"I'm expecting a lot of great things from Will," fellow safety Matt Elam added. "He's a phenomenal player."
The Ravens have used five safeties on defense the last few weeks, and Hill could immediately plug into that rotation.
"Obviously, we expect him to be a very, very good player back there," Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees said. "It'll be interesting to see how he progresses. But we think he's the real deal."
Hill has been counting down the days until his return to the field, and he's eager to show that the Ravens made a wise move in signing him this summer.
"It's going to be high intensity," Hill said. "It's going to feel like it's my first game ever."
