Anthony

Averett

Averett returns to the AFC North, where he spent the first four years of his career as a member of the Ravens. The veteran corner spent time with the Lions and 49ers last season but didn’t appear in a regular season game. His signing comes after a tryout with the Raiders during their rookie minicamp. He’ll presumably need to battle for a spot on the 53-man roster in camp.

Averett appeared in seven contests for the putrid Raiders’ secondary in 2022, three of which were starts out of necessity. The former Alabama standout last had an above average coverage grade in the 2018 season. The veteran corner should challenge for a depth role this preseason.

One of the weakest secondaries is getting even thinner mid-game. Averett went down with the toe injury in the first half and was listed as queisotnable. He was then ruled out in the third quarter. The Raiders’ announced backup tight end Jesper Horsted was out with a concussion at the same time.

Averett suffered his injury in Sunday’s loss to the Chargers and is now expected to be sidelined for the next several weeks. Brought over on a one-year, $4.5 million deal this offseason, Averett started in Week 1 for the Raiders, tallying 34 defensive snaps per PFF.

Averett will join Trayvon Mullen, Rock Ya-Sin, and Darius Phillips in what looks likely to be a new-look Raiders secondary. Casey Hayward and Desmond Trufant are both free agents. Averett played a career-high 807 snaps last year and had three picks and 12 pass breakups. He’s mostly played at outside corner.

Averett is coming off a career year, posting 54 tackles and three interceptions in his first full season as a starter. The Ravens have $140 million tied up in Marlon Humphrey ($98M) and Marcus Peters ($42M), making re-signing Averett unlikely. A favorite of ex-Ravens DC Don Martindale, Averett could follow Martindale to the Giants this offseason.

Rapoport added, “It figures to be a challenge for him to play this weekend.” The Ravens have been decimated by injuries in their secondary this year and the list keeps growing. That has forced Averett into an every-down role and he’s played well given the less-than-ideal circumstances. Averett has 11 pass defenses and three interceptions on the year. Like Aaron Rodgers and Joe Burrow before him, Matthew Stafford projects to pick apart Baltimore this week.

The Ravens can ill afford another secondary injury. Averett spent several minutes on the turf after making a low tackle on CJ Uzomah, whose knee smashed into Averett’s upper body. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase should have their way against the injury-ravaged Baltimore coverage unit.

The Ravens are extremely healthy at the moment, as their only real question mark entering Sunday was LT Ronnie Stanley, who cleared the concussion protocol and will suit up against the Browns. The Ravens are presently 10.5-point favorites over their AFC North rival.

The veteran went down in a heap after getting rolled up by Dolphins linebacker Patrick Onwuasor in the second quarter of Sunday’s season opener. Smith was replaced in the lineup by Anthony Averett, who allowed the Dolphins’ lone touchdown on a six-yard pass to Preston Williams. For what it’s worth, Ravens coach John Harbaugh is confident Smith’s injury will not be a season-ender.