Ravens make 1st round of roster cuts; Edwards put on injured reserve
In an effort to trim their roster to 75 players, the Ravens made a surprising move today, placing defensive tackle Dwan Edwards on injured reserve, ending his season.
Joining Edwards on IR are linebacker Terrence Melton and nose tackle Kelly Talavou. The Ravens also released wideout Darnerien McCants and tight end Aaron Walker.
Edwards, a 2004 second-round pick, missed Baltimore's most recent preseason game with a back injury.
"Dwan had an ongoing thing where he was feeling a little bit of tightness there," head coach John Harbaugh said. "He'll play again, but it's going to take a good part of this year to correct it. It's not something that you can take a chance with and let it slide."
Edwards started 13 games last season, filling in for the injured Trevor Pryce, and made a career-high 58 tackles. He had six tackles and a sack in two preseason games this season.
This will mark the second straight year on IR for Melton, who broke his hand on the first day of practice. The Carolina Panthers placed the fourth-year man on IR with a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee.
Talavou, an undrafted rookie out of Utah, injured his left shoulder in the Ravens' preseason opener against the Patriots. He was expected to serve as a backup to Kelly Gregg.
McCants and Walker, both fifth-year players, were signed as free agents this summer.
The Ravens will need to make their final, and more substantial, round of cuts by Saturday, when the squad has to be trimmed to 53.
I ENJOY THE REPORTS DAN KOLKO, THANK YOU.
--EVAN M FROM BALTIMORE