Baltimore Ravens Sign Veteran Safety Rayshawn Jenkins Following Defensive Collapse Against Bengals
By Brian Hradsky
The Baltimore Ravens have added much-needed experience to their secondary, signing veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins to their practice squad Monday following a disappointing 35-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The 32-year-old defensive back joins Baltimore after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, giving the Ravens an experienced option as they attempt to address their defensive struggles.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz first reported the signing Monday afternoon, with the Ravens subsequently announcing Jenkins’ addition to their practice squad. The move comes at an important time for Baltimore, which has struggled with injuries and inconsistent performances in its defensive backfield. Jenkins brings 10 NFL seasons of experience, 93 career starts and 11 interceptions to a Ravens team looking to regain momentum in the AFC North.
Jenkins Brings Experience to Baltimore’s Secondary
Jenkins entered the NFL as a fourth-round selection by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2017 NFL Draft after playing college football at Miami. He spent four seasons with the Chargers before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he developed into a regular starter and productive member of the secondary. His career has also included stops with the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Throughout his career, Jenkins has appeared in 145 regular-season games, making 93 starts while recording 578 combined tackles, 11 interceptions, 34 passes defended and 5.5 sacks, according to Pro Football Reference. His experience includes multiple seasons as a full-time starter, particularly during his three years in Jacksonville. Jenkins recorded 116 tackles and three interceptions in 2022, followed by 101 tackles and two interceptions in 2023.
One of Jenkins’ most memorable plays came during the 2024 season with Seattle, when he returned a fumble 102 yards for a touchdown against the New York Giants. The play established a Seahawks franchise record for the longest defensive touchdown. While Jenkins is no longer the same player who started every game for Jacksonville, his experience and physical playing style could make him a useful addition to Baltimore’s defensive rotation.
Why Pittsburgh Released Jenkins
Jenkins signed with Pittsburgh during the offseason as the Steelers attempted to strengthen their defensive depth. He appeared in six games during the 2026 season, starting one contest and recording 16 combined tackles according to Pro Football Reference. However, his role diminished following coverage struggles, and Pittsburgh eventually shifted additional responsibilities to rookie safety Robert Spears-Jennings.
The Steelers officially released Jenkins on October 21 as their secondary became healthier, including the return of DeShon Elliott. Pittsburgh’s decision made the veteran available to other teams, and Baltimore moved quickly to add him. The signing also creates an interesting divisional storyline, as Jenkins has now played for three AFC North franchises in consecutive seasons.
Ravens Looking for Answers After Bengals Loss
Baltimore’s decision to add Jenkins follows one of its most frustrating defensive performances of the season. The Ravens fell to 4-3 after allowing Cincinnati to score 35 unanswered second-half points Sunday, turning what had been a competitive divisional matchup into a 35-13 defeat. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow completed 16 of 18 passes for 249 yards and four touchdowns in the second half alone.
The secondary was already dealing with personnel concerns before the game, particularly with starting safety Jaylinn Hawkins sidelined by a knee injury. Baltimore relied on K’Von Wallace and Keondre Jackson at safety during Hawkins’ absence, but the Bengals repeatedly found opportunities through the passing game. Head coach Jesse Minter has indicated that Hawkins’ injury is not expected to be a long-term concern, although additional depth remains important.
Jenkins will not immediately solve every issue within Baltimore’s pass defense, but his arrival gives the coaching staff another experienced player to evaluate. His familiarity with AFC North opponents could be valuable as the Ravens prepare for the remainder of their divisional schedule. Baltimore still has two games remaining against Pittsburgh, scheduled for Weeks 15 and 18, potentially setting up a reunion between Jenkins and his former team.
What Jenkins Could Bring to the Ravens
At 32 years old, Jenkins is best viewed as an experienced depth addition rather than an automatic replacement for an established starter. His ability to contribute as a reserve safety, assist on special teams and provide emergency starting experience could become valuable as the season progresses. Because he has joined the practice squad, Baltimore would need to elevate or sign him to the active roster before he could appear in a game.
The veteran has demonstrated an ability to play physically near the line of scrimmage, contribute against the run and create turnovers. However, his recent coverage struggles in Pittsburgh also suggest Baltimore should be cautious about relying on him for extensive responsibilities immediately. The Ravens will need to determine how Jenkins fits into Minter’s defensive system and whether he can contribute effectively after learning the playbook.
With Baltimore preparing for a road matchup against the Buffalo Bills, the timing of the signing makes sense. The Ravens need improved communication, more consistent coverage and better execution throughout their defense. Jenkins provides another option for the coaching staff as the organization attempts to recover from consecutive AFC North losses.
MSB Take
The Ravens needed to make a move after Sunday’s defensive collapse, and signing Rayshawn Jenkins is a reasonable low-risk decision. Baltimore is not getting a Pro Bowl-caliber safety, but it is adding a veteran who has played meaningful football across several defensive systems and understands the physical demands of the AFC North. His experience could help stabilize the secondary, especially if injuries continue to affect the position.
However, Jenkins should not be mistaken for the solution to Baltimore’s defensive problems. The Ravens have to improve their pass coverage, communication and ability to finish games regardless of who is playing safety. Adding Jenkins to the practice squad is a sensible first step, but Baltimore’s coaching staff still has considerable work ahead if the team expects to compete for the division title.
