As Carl Lawson sat on the open market for nearly two months of the NFL season, he remained patient, knowing an opportunity would present itself. It just had to be the right one.
Lawson had seen little “hints” during his eight-year NFL career that he might one day become a Raven. So even though they are 1-5, when the Ravens looked for help and opportunities in real playing time, Lawson put pen to paper.
Lawson signed with Baltimore’s practice squad and took the field for his first practice Friday. Although he won’t play two days later against the Chicago Bears, according to head coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens believe he can provide the help they need.
The Ravens are tied for the fewest sacks in the NFL (eight). After trading Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers, fellow outside linebacker Tavius Robinson suffered a broken foot in the following game.
“It looks like he’s in good shape,” Harbaugh said. “We played against him a lot. We have a lot of respect for him. He’s also a very good guy. A smart and experienced player. So that’s a good thing.”
Lawson, who had five sacks in 15 games with the Dallas Cowboys last season, said he had other opportunities to play earlier this season but passed them up.
While Lawson joined the Ravens midway through the season, he has had ties to Baltimore for some time. He competed against the Ravens in the AFC North as a Cincinnati Bengal for his first four seasons.
While a Bengal and in the years since, Lawson trained with Ravens Pass Rush coach Chuck Smith. Lawson also has several friends on the team: Ronnie Stanley, John Jenkins and Josh Tupou.
Lawson admired former Ravens passers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil and said he has been a “big fan” of Kyle Van Noy for a long time. Van Noy arrived in Baltimore four games into the 2023 season and had some of the best years of his career in his 30s. Lawson, who turned 30 in June, is looking to do the same.
“I think with every opportunity that you get every year, I think you should always want to get better, whether or not you’re an older player, a veteran or a younger player,” Lawson said. “I saw [Van Noy] from afar and I told him today, I was like, ‘Yeah, man, I love seeing him.'”
Lawson has dealt with injuries including a torn Achilles in 2021, just months after signing a three-year, $45 million contract with the New York Jets. He has now had a healthy offseason and feels ready to make a difference.
“I can do everything at a very high level,” Lawson said. “My thing is always to be healthy and consistent with that part.”
