Ravens claim OT Donnal, Cut RB Rainey
Late this afternoon, the Baltimore Ravens claimed offensive tackle Andrew Donnal from the Los Angeles Rams and cut running back/return man Bobby Rainey.
Donnal is a six foot six offensive tackle in his third year. Donnal has spent this season as the backup guard for the Rams as he’s been recovering from a knee injury suffered in the preseason. A fourth round pick from the University of Iowa, Donnal played in every game last season, but started only 4.
Bobby Rainey spent virtually all of his time here in Baltimore as the return man and man, he was probably the best on the team. Rainey averaged at least 22 yards per return in all four games as a Raven, but only had one kick return in each of the last two games. Rainey’s lasting impact on the Ravens will be the incredible kick return for a touchdown in his first game this season against the Chicago Bears.
The cutting of Rainey comes as a surprise as he’s been the team’s best kick returner and started returning punts last week in place of the injured Michael Campanaro. My guess is that wide receiver Chris Moore is going to take over the return duties even though he’s been stepping up in the offense. I understand Danny Woodhead is just about back and there’s no reason to have five running backs on the roster, but it’s surprising it was Rainey and not Terrance West.
The bigger question though, is why are the Ravens bringing in an offensive lineman after the bye week. Is someone on the line suffering from a lingering injury? Only time will tell.
