While Carl Lawson sat on the open market for nearly two months of the NFL season, he remained patient, knowing an opportunity would come along. It just had to be the right one.
Lawson had seen little “hints” during his eight-year NFL career that he could someday be a Raven. So even though they’re 1-5, when the Ravens reached out looking for help and opportunity at real playing time, Lawson put pen to paper.
Lawson signed to Baltimore’s practice squad and stepped onto the field for his first practice Friday. While he won’t play two days later against the Chicago Bears, according to Head Coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens believe he can provide pass rush help they need.
The Ravens are tied for the fewest sacks in the NFL (eight). After they traded Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers, fellow outside linebacker Tavius Robinson suffered a broken foot in the next game.
“Looks like he’s in good shape,” Harbaugh said. “We’ve played against him a lot. We have a lot of respect for him. A really good guy, too. A smart, experienced player. So that’s a good thing.”
Lawson, who had five sacks in 15 games with the Dallas Cowboys last season, said there were other opportunities for him to play earlier this season, but he passed them up.
While Lawson is joining the Ravens midway through the season, he’s had a Baltimore connection for quite some time. He competed against the Ravens in the AFC North as a Cincinnati Bengal for his first four seasons.
While he was 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 looked up to former Ravens pass rushers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil and said he’s been a “big fan” of Kyle Van Noy for a long time. Van Noy came to Baltimore four games into the 2023 season and has had some of the best years of his career in his 30s. Lawson, who turned 30 years old in June, is looking to do the same.
“I think with every opportunity you get every single year, I think you should always want to get better, whether or not you’re an older player, vet, young guy,” Lawson said. “I’ve seen [Van Noy] from afar and I told him today, I was like, ‘Yeah, man, I love to see it.'”
Lawson has dealt with injuries, including a 2021 Achilles tear just months after inking a three-year, $45 million deal with the New York Jets. Now he’s had a full healthy offseason and feels ready to make a difference.
“I can do everything at a high, high level,” Lawson said. “My thing is just always just being healthy and consistent with that part of it.”