Pernell

McPhee

McPhee’s “release” at final cuts turned out to be a procedural move. The 32-year-old, on-again, off-again Raven will serve as a situational pass rusher after notching three sacks each of the past two years.

The 32-year-old was brought back on a one-year contract in March, but couldn’t extend his Ravens reunion another season. A mainstay of John Harbaugh’s teams since 2011 save for a half decade interlude, McPhee will probably remain on speed dial in the event of an injury or sluggish pass rush. He notched three sacks each of the past two years, though health remained an issue.

The veteran was set to become an unrestricted free agent. A 2011 fifth-round pick by the Ravens, McPhee, 32, is Baltimore’s most experienced outside linebacker and one of four players remaining from the team’s 2012 Super Bowl win. In 2020, McPhee started 13 games and recorded three sacks for Baltimore. The Ravens had the league’s 25th best pass rush in 2020, according to Pro Football Focus.

For now, pass rusher McPhee is the fourth Ravens player on the list, though 1-2 more are expected to be added in the next 48 hours. It is unclear why the Ravens have not already done so. The Ravens have five player positives right now, including J.K. Dobbins, Mark Ingram and Brandon Williams. Thursday’s game against the Steelers is on a knife’s edge. McPhee has played 346 snaps this season, contributing two sacks and decent overall play.

McPhee notched three sacks in seven games as a starter last season before landing on injured reserve with a torn triceps. Going on 32, McPhee might not necessarily start in 2020, but he should be needed for heavy snaps in the Ravens’ young linebacking group. It, of course, is also possible McPhee ends up left off the 53-man roster after the Ravens waited two months to bring him back.

Coach John Harbaugh confirmed McPhee tore his triceps in the Ravens’ Week 7 win over the Seahawks. He racked up three sacks in seven games this season as a starter, providing the Ravens front seven with some consistent pass-rush juice off the edge. The Ravens have a Week 8 bye to figure out a replacement before taking on the Patriots in Week 9.

Barely used in Washington last season, McPhee registered zero sacks on 203 snaps. Now on the wrong side of 30, McPhee will try to provide heat as a situational pass rusher for a team that is looking thin on the outside.

McPhee is coming off another nondescript season after signing a one-year deal with Washington. He was drafted and spent the first half of his career in Baltimore, so this would be an obvious fit. McPhee is just a situational pass rusher.

Paul Kruger, Pernell McPhee, and perhaps even Sergio Kindle could be in the mix for more snaps in Suggs’ absence, but King expects Upshaw to be “one of the most significant rookies in the league this year.” The Ravens are still awaiting final word on the extent of Suggs’ injury.

It’s unknown when McPhee went under the knife, but he’ll supposedly be ready for camp. A 2011 fifth-round pick, McPhee ended up appearing in all 16 games, notching 23 tackles and six sacks as a situational pass rusher. He’ll be in for an increased role as Terrell Suggs works his way back from Achilles surgery.