It initially appeared Josh Wells‘ gateway to a 10th NFL season would be in Jacksonville. The veteran offensive lineman signed with his initial NFL team back in April, but that partnership did not last too far beyond training camp.
The Jaguars placed Wells on IR in August, preventing him from suiting up for them this season. But a September injury settlement led Wells off Jacksonville’s IR list and back into free agency. On Tuesday, he agreed to terms with the Ravens on a practice squad deal. This came after a workout, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets.
The Ravens have dealt with some injury trouble on the offensive line as of late. Right tackle Morgan Moses has missed the past two games with a shoulder injury, though he logged a full practice Monday. Ronnie Stanley left the Ravens-Browns matchup with a knee injury and did not return. The longtime left tackle did not practice Monday. Considering Stanley’s history with knee trouble and the Ravens readying for a Thursday-night Bengals tilt, they are bringing in a veteran reinforcement.
Wells, 32, has primarily worked as a swing tackle throughout his career. The James Madison alum spent the past four seasons backing up Donovan Smith and Tristan Wirfs in Tampa. Wells made 15 starts with the Buccaneers, including seven last season. He started in the Bucs’ 2021 divisional-round matchup against the Rams, filling in for an injured Wirfs at right tackle. A 2014 Jags UDFA, Wells made nine starts with his first NFL employer before moving on and joining the Bucs in Bruce Arians’ first offseason in Tampa.
To make room on the practice squad, the Ravens released veteran tight end Eric Tomlinson. Spending parts of the 2020 and ’21 seasons in Baltimore, Tomlinson rejoined the team this offseason. After playing regularly in Denver last season, the seven-year vet has not seen action this season.