Ravens Place Veteran OL Hakeem Adeniji on Reserve/Retired List
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog
The Baltimore Ravens have made another roster move as training camp continues, placing veteran offensive lineman Hakeem Adeniji on the reserve/retired list just one week after signing him to bolster offensive line depth. The move comes after Adeniji joined Baltimore on July 25 following a successful tryout during the opening days of camp.
No reason for Adeniji’s retirement has been publicly announced by either the Ravens or the NFL transaction wire as of Sunday evening.
Short Stay in Baltimore
Adeniji’s stint with the Ravens was brief. Baltimore signed the versatile offensive lineman after bringing him in for a workout, hoping his experience at both tackle and guard would add valuable depth behind an offensive line that has undergone several changes this offseason.
Instead, his Ravens career ends before appearing in a preseason game.
Veteran Experience
Originally selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Kansas, Adeniji carved out a reputation as a versatile reserve capable of playing multiple positions across the offensive line.
During his NFL career he:
- Appeared in 55 regular-season games.
- Made 16 career starts.
- Started games at both tackle spots and guard.
- Played for the Bengals, Vikings, Browns, Cowboys and Ravens.
His most significant playing time came with Cincinnati, where he started during the Bengals’ run to the AFC Championship and later filled in at right tackle during another postseason appearance.
After battling injuries in recent seasons, including missing 2024 with a knee injury, Adeniji spent last season with Dallas before becoming a free agent. Baltimore signed him to compete for a reserve role entering the 2026 campaign.
Impact on the Ravens
From a football standpoint, the retirement should have a limited impact on Baltimore’s projected starting offensive line.
The Ravens still have established starters and several young linemen competing for backup roles throughout training camp. However, Adeniji’s departure does remove an experienced veteran who could play multiple positions in the event of injuries.
Expect Baltimore to continue evaluating the free-agent market while also giving additional practice reps to younger offensive linemen as preseason games approach.
MSB Take
While Adeniji was never projected to challenge for a starting role, his versatility made him an intriguing veteran insurance policy. Offensive line depth is one of the most important assets during an NFL season, especially for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
This retirement creates another opening on Baltimore’s 90-man roster and could give a younger lineman an opportunity to impress. It also would not be surprising to see General Manager Eric DeCosta continue searching the veteran market for additional offensive line depth before the regular season begins.
The Ravens open preseason play later this month, giving the coaching staff plenty of opportunities to evaluate the remaining offensive line competition before final roster cuts.
