Anquan Boldin: Why Baltimore Ravens Have 'Right Receivers' - NFL Tracker

The Ravens hold a 21-13 lead in the middle of the fourth quarter.

OCT 12 OJABO PLOTS RETURNS BEFORE SEASON'S END Injured Baltimore Ravens linebacker David Ojabo stated his desire to get on the field before season's end as the team continues to work in England to partake in the NFL International Series.

"(I'm) working really hard to be out there. Through God's grace I'll be out there soon," Ojabo said, per the Ravens' official site. "No timetable right now. Just rehabbing, taking it day by day."

Medical misfortune has defined Ojabo's career since the Ravens took him in the second round of the 2022 draft. He played in only two games in his rookie season thanks to a torn Achilles during his pro day at Michigan and currently resides on injured reserve due to an knee injury sustained in Week 3's loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Though Ojabo won't be able to play in Sunday's British-based battle against the Tennessee Titans (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network), he'll be on hand for a homecoming of sorts: the defender spent his youth and early teens in Aberdeen, Scotland before moving to New Jersey, where he moved onto Blair Academy and later Ann Arbor.

"I'm blessed to be back home," Ojabo said of the London trip. "You control what you can. (I) keep my mentals up by praying and staying close to my family."

OCT 11 HUMPHREY CLAIMS STARS WANT TO 'RETIRE IN BALTIMORE' On the latest edition of his "Punch Line Podcast," cornerback Marlon Humphrey claimed that star opponents have reached out to him about their supposed desires to be traded to the Baltimore Ravens.

"There's guys that hit me up like 'yo, trade for me,'" Humphrey said. "So some guys are ready to bounce quick."

Humphrey said that he has not only gotten both calls and texts inquiring about the Ravens' activities but they have also queried during pregame warmups. 

"One time, (in) pregame, literally this year, they (were) like "I've got to end my career in Baltimore,'" Humphrey said. He is mum on the player's identity but confirmed to an off-screen voice that it wasn't star Washington Commanders star pass rusher Chase Young, who faced off with Baltimore during the preseason. 

It's easy to see why Baltimore would be a premier destination: the Ravens (3-2) have been one of the league's most consistent teams over the past five seasons and have locked up star talents like Lamar Jackson for the foreseeable future. The team, however, has had trouble getting past the Divisional playoff round hump and the AFC North routinely stands as one of the toughest quartets in football. Time will tell if Baltimore management capitalizes on these rumored desires. 

OCT 6 HARBAUGH REMEMBERS BUTKUS Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh used his Friday address to pay tribute to the late Dick Butkus. The Hall-of-Fame linebacker passed away in Malibu at the age of 80 this week after spending his entire NFL career with the Chicago Bears (1965-73).

"You couldn't talk about (being) a linebacker in the national football league without talking about Dick Butkus," Harbaugh recalled. "Dick Butkus. That is the same as saying linebacker. You say Dick Butkus, it meant linebacker. Next to the definition of linebacker was Dick Butkus ... Rest in peace, Dick Butkus, as a legendary player. Without Dick Butkus, the league would not be what it is today."

Butkus is widely regarded as one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history and earned two Defensive Player of the Year Awards and eight Pro Bowl nominations. He was recently named to the NFL's 100th anniversary team in 2019 as well as the All-Decade group for the 1960s and 70s. 

OCT 3 HARMON TO CHICAGO OFF RAVENS PS Per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Bears are set to add Duron Harmon off the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad.

Harmon, best known for his work with the New England Patriots, earned three Super Bowl rings with Foxborough's finest. The 32-year-old signed with the Ravens on Sept. 12 after the endured a plethora of injuries in its Week 2 victory over Houston but did not appear in any games.

Chicago (0-4) is one of two winless teams left on the NFL ledger. It'll have a chance to earn its first victory on Thursday night against the Washington Commanders (8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video).

SEPT 29 BROWN BURNED The Cleveland injury news just got a little worse … and a little weird … as the Browns prep their AFC North showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.

In addition to QB Deshaun Watson being listed as “questionable” for Week 4 with soreness in his throwing shoulder, tight end David Njoku has now been added to the team's injury report following Saturday's workout. 

What happened to Njoku? He sustained burn injuries to his face and arm in a household accident. … which according to some reports occurred while Njoku was trying to light the firepit in his backyard.

SEPT 27 RAVENS SIGN KYLE VAN NOY The Baltimore Ravens are adding some linebacker depth.

According to the team, veteran Kyle Van Noy has been signed to the practice squad.

Van Noy, 32, was a second-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and has played for the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers.

SEPT 26 RAVENS MOURN PASSING OF BROOKS ROBINSON Baltimore Ravens management released a statement to commemorate the passing of Charm City baseball legend Brooks Robinson. 

Often regarded as one of the greatest defensive infielders to play the game (boasting skills that earned him nicknames like "The Human Vacuum Cleaner"), Robinson played his entire 23-year Major League Baseball career with the nearby Orioles and held most of the major Baltimore batting records, including hits (2,848) and runs batted in (1,357) upon his retirement after the 1977 campaign.

"Brooks Robinson is iconic, not just in the game of baseball, but in Baltimore as a whole," Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said. "Few people captured the hearts of a community like Brooks. His charm, kindness, and class truly made him one of a kind."

"Ingrid, Alison, and I extend our deepest condolences, prayers, and respect to the entire Robinson family after the passing of the great Brooks Robinson," head coach John Harbaugh added. "From the moment we met Brooks, when completely unbeknown to us he answered the door for Trick or Treat during our first year in Baltimore, we knew what a wonderful and gracious man he was. Brooks was full of love for everyone he met. May God forever bless him and the entire Robinson family."

Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY in 1983, earning entry upon his first appearance on the ballot. The modern Orioles (98-59) are closing in on an American League East division title and have a potential chance at clinching it on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals (6:35 p.m. ET, MASN).

SEPT 26 TYLAN WALLACE TO IR As the Baltimore Ravens continue to deal with an alarming number of injuries, they added another player to the injured reserve on Monday. 

Following the loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Ravens moved receiver Tylan Wallace to the injury reserve after he suffered a hamstring injury during the 22-19 loss, which means that the core special teamer will miss at least the next four games. 

With the new roster spot opened up on the 53-man roster, the Ravens brought in a third quarterback and familiar face in Josh Johnson, who was released by the team the day before the game versus the Colts.

SEPT 25 COLTS TROLLED FOR CRAB KERFUFFLE The Indianapolis Colts hauled in a new variety of deadliest catch.

Following their unexpected 22-19 overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Colts' official social media channels attempted to get in on the fun: lampooning Chesapeake cuisine, the Colts labeled Sunday's win "delicious" and posted art of of the final score drawn in Old Bay Seasoning flanked by lemons, garlic, corn-on-the-cob, and, of course, crab. 

However, Ravens fans, and perhaps those still well-versed in the original Colts' endeavors in Baltimore, were quick to point out that the crab in question was Alaskan king crab rather than the Chesapeake blue crab which is most often found in, as its name implies, the nearby Chesapeake Bay. 

The official Old Bay Seasoning account even got in on the fun, calling out the apparently uncultured Colts for their faux meal prep.

SEPT 23 RAY LEWIS MENTORS ROQUAN SMITH The Baltimore Ravens are known for having strong linebackers, and the past was able to meet the present when Ray Lewis and Roquan Smith teamed up to go over some film.

Smith is already a tremendous defender, but with Lewis in his ear giving him some of his expertise, it only elevates his ceiling.

SEPT 22 ANTHONY RICHARDSON OUT AGAINST RAVENS The Indianapolis Colts will be without rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson after he suffered a concussion in the first half of their 31-20 win over the Houston Texans. 

Gardner Minshew will start for the Colts. He completed 19 of 23 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown in relief of Richardson. 

Baltimore (2-0) hosts the Colts (1-1) at M&T Bank Stadium at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.

SEPT 21 RAVENS-COLTS AMONG TEAMS IN POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE 16'S PATH Fox Weather has labeled Sunday's clash between the Baltimore Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts as one of three games that could be affected by precipitation brought about by Potential Tropical Storm 16. The storm is expected to work its way through the East Coast over the weekend.

In the wake of the drenching, Fox Weather analysts project that the wet conditions could produce a big day for Baltimore running backs, even with primary legs J.K. Dobbins out.

"The Ravens will not only need to worry about which quarterback will be starting for the Colts (with Anthony Richards injured), but Lamar Jackson will need to utilize both Gus Edwards and Justice Hill with J.K. Dobbins out for the year," Heather Brinkmann and Brandon Ingram write. "But let’s not forget the wheels on Jackson. He will be a no-brainer for a fantasy start, as his running stats alone could carry the team." 

Other games in the path of the storm include the Washington Commanders' Mid-Atlantic showdown against the Buffalo Bills and the AFC East clash between the New England Patriots and New York Jets.

SEPT 20 RAVENS SIGN RB The Baltimore Ravens are adding some depth at running back after the season-ending Achilles injury to JK Dobbins in Week 1 - and it's a familiar face.

Kenyan Drake returns to the Ravens after a brief stint with the Colts in training camp. Last year with Baltimore, he rushed for 571 carries and five touchdowns.

SEPT 19 BECKHAM FINDS NEW LOVE? Per People Magazine, Ravens wideout Odell Beckham Jr. and reality TV star Kim Kardashian are "hanging out" and "spending time together" per reports.

Beckham, 30, recently split from longtime girlfriend, model Lauren Wood, with whom OBJ shares a son with.

The 42-year-old Kardashian has four children from a previous marriage to rapper Kanye West. Representatives from each camp are not releasing any information regarding a possible relationship, but the two were at Michael Rubin's July 4 party, which is where they may have met.

SEPT 19 HOF BALLOT FEATURED 14 RETIRED RAVENS The Pro Football Hall of Fame unveiled its 2024 ballot on Tuesday and its 173-member ledger features 14 former members of the Baltimore Ravens. 

Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata is one of nine first-year arrivals and he's joined by several compatriots of the new century such as Matt Birk, Jamal Lewis, Derrick Mason, Samari Rolle, and Matt Stover. 

Brief Raven Devin Hester will look to close the deal after standing as a finalist in 2023. Other potential legends who briefly spent time in Baltimore include Anquan Boldin, Randall Cunningham, Priest Holmes, and Steve Smith Sr.

SEPT 18 OBJ OK? Odell Beckham Jr. was forced to exit the Ravens’ Week 2 win over the Bengals, but Baltimore apparently believes the ankle issue to not be a serious one.

Beckham signed with the Ravens this off-season after spending a year rehabbing from a knee injury. This issue is unrelated to that one … all good news as Baltimore works to stay undefeated entering Week 3 and a meeting with the Colts.

SEPT 17 GORDON AND MUSTIPHER JOIN CLUB The Ravens announced on Saturday that they have elevated running back Melvin Gordon and center Sam Mustipher from the practice squad ahead of the Week 2 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The 30-year-old Gordon was a first-round pick by the Chargers in the 2015 NFL Draft and was with the Ravens in the offseason before being a victim of the 53-man final roster cuts. Gordon's services are necessary due to the season-ending Achilles injury to Ravens RB1, J.K. Dobbins suffered in Week 1.

Mustipher was signed for depth after starting center Tyler Linderbaum was injured against the Texans in Week 1.

SEPT 15 TUOHY FAMILY RESPONDS TO MICHAEL OHER CLAIMS The Tuohy family has filed a legal response to claims from former Ravens offensive lineman Michael Oher regarding their dramatized relationship depicted in the 2009 film "The Blind Side." Penned by their representatives, the statement once again denies claims from Oher that the family unfairly profited from the film's box office receipts and also carries an offer to terminate the conservatorship established in Oher's name with his consent.

"When it became clear that the petitioner could not consider going to the University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss") as a result of living with the Respondents, the NCAA made it clear that the only way he could attend Ole Miss" was if Oher was somehow part of the family," the response, obtained by Michael A. Fletcher of ESPN, reads in part. "Conservatorship was the tool chosen to accomplish this goal."

The response also claims that the Tuohys never told Oher that they planned to legally adopt him though admitted to using the term in a "colloquial sense."

"They never intended that (adoption) reference to be viewed with legal implication," the response said.

SEPT 14 RAVENS FAN INVOLVED IN FEDEXFIELD VIRAL VIDEO SPEAKS Martino Ancora, a Ravens fan who went viral due to an incident in the stands at FedExField on Sunday, has broken his silence. Video taken from the stands in the Washington Commanders' home stadium depicted Ancora, clad in a No. 52 Ray Lewis Ravens jersey, being sucker punched by another fan while his arms were being held back. Ancora was nonetheless arrested for charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct, and 2nd-degree assault by Prince George’s County Police and escorted out of the game between Washington and the Arizona Cardinals.

Speaking with Shomari Stone of Fox 5 DC, Ancora insisted he was the victim, not the perpetrator.

"I was there at the game with my girlfriend. I was being a spectator. She's a fan of the Commanders," Ancora told Stone. "I was just there supporting her on opening day. I was cheering for the Commanders as I'm in the row, there's a guy a row ahead of me."

"He started being disrespectful with his words, and as you can see on the video, he pushed me first and as he pushed me I tried to lean in, and I was gonna push him back, but before I could push them back, the guy in our row actually rushed the whole aisle and knocked us all on to the ground."

Ancora will have a court date in the coming weeks and plans to challenge the charges. 

SEPT 13 MARK ANDREWS RETURNS TO PRACTICE In the midst of seemingly endless dreary queries about Charm City health incidents, the Baltimore Ravens may finally be getting some good news on the medical front.

On an afternoon when four starters (Marlon Humphrey, Tyler Linderbaum, Ronnie Stanley, Marcus Williams) sat for the Ravens, Andrew returned to the practice field as the team prepares to open divisional play against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS). Andrews (quad) did not play Baltimore's season-opening victory over Houston and stood as one of the final additions to the Ravens' inactive list. Ravens tight ends were mostly quiet in the 25-9 victory: Isaiah Likely had a single four-yard reception on two targets while Charlie Kolar was targeted once.

SEPT 12 RAVENS ADD DURON HARMON TO PRACTICE SQUAD In addition to adding Daryl Worley to its 53-man roster, the Ravens added 10-year NFL veteran Duron Harmon to the team's practice squad on Tuesday. Worley and Harmon are the latest measures brought in in the wake of Marcus Williams' potentially lengthy injury sustained in Sunday's win over Houston.

Harmon, 32, spent last season with the Las Vegas Raiders, earning 86 tackles, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles and interceptions. The Rutgers alum is perhaps best known for his seven-year tenure with the New England Patriots (2013-19), where he gained the nickname "The Closer" for his uncanny ability to earn interceptions late in games. Harmon earned three Super Bowl rings with the Patriots, the most recent coming after the 2018 season. 

In a corresponding move, preseason star Tae Hayes was released from the practice squad. 

SEPT 11 WILLIAMS INJURY 'MAY NOT' BE SEASON-ENDING' The Baltimore Ravens' Week 1 triumph over the Houston Texans was a painful affair: the team is already preparing to move on without running back J.K. Dobbins for the season and head coach John Harbaugh said on Monday said that the team will be without defender Marcus Williams "for a while." 

"Marcus has a pec injury. He's talking and consulting with doctors right now," Harbaugh said. "It may not be a season-ender, though. There are different options that he has, so we'll keep you updated on that, soon, because he'll have to make a decision soon on a possible surgery there."

Injuries have been an unfortunate recurring theme in the modern stages of Williams' Ravens career: shortly after signing a five-year, $70 million contract, he suffered a wrist ailment that cost him eight games last season. Williams was credited with four tackles in the 25-9 win over the Texans prior to his departure.

SEPT 8 HARBAUGH GETS PUNNY TO CLEAR BATEMAN While the Baltimore Ravens and their fans hold their breath when it comes to Odell Beckham Jr.'s status for Sunday against the Houston Texans, head coach Jim Harbaugh was comfortable enough to break puns to comment on the status of another catcher, Rashod Bateman.

“He looks full speed ready to go," Harbaugh said. "It means so much to him. He was very frustrated with the fact that thing kind of just kept lingering and lingering and he was not able to kind of put it behind him.”

A promising start to Bateman's sophomore season went by the wayside when a foot injury canceled it prematurely. Harbaugh praised Bateman for "being able to put his foot down" when it came to being able to complete the final steps of his rehabilitation.

“He did a great job, he really did,” Harbaugh said. “I’m kind of proud of him and I’m excited about him too. I want to see how he does ... Guys aren't going to bat a thousand out there but they're going to go out there and play. It's going to be interesting and fun to watch."

Bateman earned 226 yards on eight receptions, two of which went for scores, over his first three games of last season. 

SEPT 7 OBJ OK? New Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. wants to @explode'' back onto the NFL scene after having missed the entirety of the 2022 season due to a knee injury.

But is OBJ - not to mention star tight end Mark Andrews - going to be ready to "explode'' in the Week 1 opener against the Houston Texans?

Beckham has been added to the Ravens injury report with an ankle injury. And standout tight end Mark Andrews is also on the injury report with a quad problem that has limited him for two straight days.

Friday is a big day for readiness. We will monitor.

SEPTEMBER 6 OBJ 'READY TO GO,' NO SNAP COUNT PLANNED Barring unforeseen developments, Odell Beckham Jr. appears to be a full go for his first gridiron action in nearly 19 full months. As the Ravens prepare for the Houston Texans' visit on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS), head coach John Harbaugh hinted at no restrictions upon the newly-minted Baltimore catcher.

""We haven't had that conversation," Harbaugh said, per Clifton Brown on the official team site. "It's going to be part and parcel of the gameplan and the personnel groups that go on the field, but he's ready to go."

Beckham did not partake in any preseason games but there are high hopes for his entry into the Baltimore roster, which is also set to welcome in Zay Flowers from the draft and Rashod Bateman back from injury in its aerial arsenal,

SEPTEMBER 4 ANDREWS MISSES PRACTICE, HARBAUGH DISCONNECTS 'PANIC BUTTON' Labor Day remained a vacation for Mark Andrews, as the tight end missed Monday's practice as the Ravens prepared for Sunday's season opener against the Houston Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS). Sensing the coming discomfort amongst the fanbase as Andrews continues to deal with an undisclosed injury, head coach John Harbaugh provided a hopeful update afterward.

"Do not push the panic button," a smiling Harbaugh said. "We should see him out there Wednesday." 

Andrews is once again expected to be a major factor in Baltimore's offense, having amassed 4,313 yards and 34 scores in his first five seasons, good for third and second respectively in the NFL in that span.

AUGUST 31 JOHNSON, TWO MORE BACK ON 53 AFTER IR MOVES The seemingly never-ending Josh Johnson story is set to continue, as the journeyman thrower has been re-added to the Ravens' 53-man roster after he was a part of the team's final camp cuts.

Johnson's return is part of a flurry of roster moves the Ravens announced on Thursday: the team also placed Kevon Seymour and Brent Urban on the active roster and situated running back Keaton Mitchell and defenders Malik Hamm and Pepe Williams on injured reserve.

The headlining move is the return of Johnson, who continues a lengthy and well-traveled NFL career that began in Tampa Bay in 2008. He started all three preseason games for the Ravens during their summer exhibition slate and posted a 125.6 passer rating in that span. He'll likely serve as the Ravens' backup for Lamar Jackson come their Week 1 showdown against the Houston Texans with regular second man Tyler Huntley rehabbing from a hamstring injury.

AUGUST 29 TAYLOR OUT As the Ravens prepare for the season opener against the Texans, word comes out that disgruntled Colts running back has joined Indianapolis ahead of Week 1. But good news for the Colts' early opponents, as Taylor will remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

That means he'll miss the Week 3 tilt against the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. This keeps him from playing for a minimum of four weeks, even if he’s traded. He might still be traded, but he can’t play through Week 4. 

AUGUST 21 MNF SHAKEUP Scott Van Pelt has been announced as the new studio host of ESPN's Monday Night Countdown. He will be joined by Ryan Clark and Marcus Spears, while Robert Griffin III, Michelle Beisner-Buck, Larry Fitzgerald, and Alex Smith will also contribute to the show.

RGIII and Spears, both former Ravens, will be ones to watch for Baltimore fans.

AUG 20 COACH FROM ORIGINAL RAVENS DIES AT 85 The Philadelphia Eagles announced the passing of linebacker Maxie Baughan - who later served on the original Baltimore Ravens' coaching staff - at the age of 85 over the weekend. Baughan was an All-American linebacker at Georgia Tech before embarking on a 12-year NFL tenure (1960-70, 1974) mostly spent with the Philadelphia Eagles.

After earning nine Pro Bowl invites, Baughan was a sideline staple for over two decades, which included stints as a defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Colts, Detroit Lions, and his alma mater Georgia Tech. The Ravens served as the final stop in that journey, as he coached linebackers from the team's inception in 1996 through 1998. 

“Maxie is one of the most legendary figures in our program’s history and a shining example of what a Tech Man is," second-year Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key said of Baughan. "We are heartbroken by his passing.'

AUG 18 SHARPE MOVE? Stephen A. Smith is now saying the Shannon Sharpe deal to join him on ESPN is not a done deal, Smith said of the report, "It's a bit premature. Shannon Sharpe has yet to sign on the dotted line to be a member of First Take. It has not happened yet."

Smith is making it clear that he thinks Sharpe, the former Ravens star, will join the cast of the debate show be eventually. And Stephen A. said so with his usual poetic over-wordiness.

"I'm still confident it will happen. I still believe it will happen. I think it needs to happen. And I have no doubt I'm going to exhaust any means I have available to me to make it happen," Smith said. 

AUGUST 17 SHARPE TO 'FIRST TAKE' Former Ravens TE and "Undisputed" host Shannon Sharpe will join Stephen A. Smith on ESPN's "First Take" as reported on Thursday.

Sharpe will appear on Mondays and Tuesdays each week during the football season. Sharpe left "Undisputed" and Skip Bayless back in June after the NBA Finals.

Sharpe’s “First Take” role has seen the former Raven come full circle. It was his guest appearances on the program with Bayless on ESPN2 that gave Bayless and former FS1 boss Jamie Horowitz the idea to pair Sharpe and Bayless in the first place.

AUGUST 17 RAVEN DARBY Former Bills, Eagles, Commanders and Broncos cornerback Ronald Darby has agreed to a one-year, $3.2 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The former second-round pick from 2015 spent the last two seasons in Denver, missing all but five games last season after tearing an ACL in October.

In 89 games played over the past eight seasons, Darby has registered eight interceptions, one forced fumble along with 373 tackles.

AUGUST 16 VITALE ON OHER Dick Vitale, the legendary college basketball sportscaster, is bothered by the twists and turns of the Michael Oher said, having tweeted: "One of my fav sports stories has now become a soap opera. Really, really sad!"

As Ravens fans know, the retired NFL lineman is alleging that the Tuohy family that took him in raked in millions of dollars while profiting off of his life story - made into the $300 million-grossing film "The Blind Side'' - without Oher himself benefiting.

The Tuohys' legal team asserts that Oher received "an equal cut of every penny they received'' and is calling the lawsuit an orchestrated "shakedown."

AUGUST 13 RAVENS SIGN HAYES The Baltimore Ravens have brought in reinforcements at cornerback after their preseason win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday.

According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Ravens have claimed cornerback Tae Hayes off waivers following his release from the Detroit Lions.

Hayes, 25, has made his way around the NFL since going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Appalachian State. Since being signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, Hayes has played for seven other teams, not including the Ravens.

After starting last season in the USFL with the Birmingham Stallions, where he even won the league's championship, he'd end up signing with the Carolina Panthers for a second time in his career. After Hayes was promoted and then demoted to and from the practice squad, he was released and signed by the New England Patriots in December.

Despite re-signing with the Patriots this past offseason, Hayes was released in June and then signed by the Lions in August, where he was then waived just seven days later.