After starting every preseason game as quarterback, Josh Johnson will begin the season on the 53-man roster.
Johnson, cornerback Kevon Seymour and veteran defensive end Brent Urban were added to the 53-man roster. All three were among Tuesday’s first roster cuts after spending training camp with the Ravens and were widely expected to be re-signed.
Running back Keaton Mitchell (shoulder), cornerback Pepe Williams (ankle) and outside linebacker Malik Hamm have been placed on injured reserve, meaning they will miss the first four games of the season. Mitchell and Hamm are two of the best stories of players making the first 53-man roster, both as undrafted rookie free agents with childhood ties to the Ravens.
The 37-year-old Johnson impressed in the preseason with 24 of 33 passes for 285 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Tyler Huntley was on Tuesday as a replacement for Lamar Jackson in the first 53-man squad but missed the last two pre-season games (hamstring injury) and did not train on Wednesday. Johnson would be the No. 2 quarterback in Week 1 if Huntley is unable to play.
Johnson was part of the Baltimore practice team in 2016 and started a game last season when Jackson was injured. Johnson was a Tampa Bay fifth-round pick in 2008 and has been a member of 14 NFL teams. His determination to stay in the league has earned him respect.
“He’s a guy who’s always had to do it the hard way and always work his way up,” Harbaugh said. “He spoke to the team about it recently and here he is again. What does that say about a career? This is a career that speaks for itself and it really deserves a lot of credit. She’s impressive.” It’s important to maintain that kind of persistence and resilience.
Seymour could play an important role in the cornerback rotation in Week 1 with the uncertain availability of All-Pro Marlon Humphrey as he recovers from foot surgery. If Humphrey is out, Seymour will join Rock Ya-Sin and compete with Brandon Stephens and Ronald Darby. Seymour, 29, has been with the Ravens since 2021 and played a total of 253 defensive snaps while being a regular on special teams.