After getting his first sack of the season against the Washington Commanders, Yannick Ngakoue has received a promotion.
The Ravens have signed Ngakoue to the 53-man roster after he spent three weeks on the practice squad. Baltimore released offensive lineman Sala Aumavae-Laulu to make room.
In two games with the Ravens as a practice squad elevation, Ngakoue has boosted the pass rush. He got his first sack of the season, and 70th of his career, in the Ravens' 30-23 victory over the Washington Commanders.
Ngakoue had three pressures on just 13 snaps against the Commanders. He's had four pressures in 16 pass rush snaps in the two games he's played, per Pro Football Focus.
Afterward, Ngakoue received a game ball from Head Coach John Harbaugh and expressed how happy he is to be a Raven.
"I was watching you boys Week 1 versus the Chiefs, and I wanted to be there so much," Ngakoue said. "I'm just thankful and grateful for you guys bringing me back in. I love y'all."
This is Ngakoue's second stint with the Ravens and he's hoping to help them get over the hump. In October of 2020, the Vikings traded Ngakoue to the Ravens in exchange for a third-round pick and a conditional fifth-round pick. In nine games that season, Ngakoue had three sacks, 11 tackles, and two forced fumbles during the regular season. He became a free agent after the season and signed with the Raiders.
Now back in Baltimore after signing with the Ravens on Sept. 24, Ngakoue is having an immediate impact.
"It's really cool – [Yannick Ngakoue is a] Maryland guy; a Ravens fan his whole life," Harbaugh said. "Every time I see him, he tells me how excited he is to be here, and how he's got our backs and everything like that.
"I see it in the way he's practicing and the way he's playing. He played tremendously well, which was not a surprise because we saw him practice that way. He's been a big addition to our team; very excited with the way he's rolling."
Aumavae-Laulu has been active for two games this season but has not had any offensive snaps. The 2023 sixth-round pick out of Oregon didn't see any action as a rookie. The Ravens' offensive line has gelled in recent weeks and has considerable depth with Andrew Vorhees, Ben Cleveland, Josh Jones, and Nick Samac all available as reserves.
The Ravens also released defensive back Damarion "Pepe" Williams from the practice squad a week after he was brought back. Baltimore now has two open practice squad spots.
