Josh

Bynes

Andy Isabella and Anthony Brown were called up to the active roster in a pair of corresponding moves. Bynes hasn’t been active for a game since Week 7. He opened the year as a starter but was quickly taken out of the rotation. Another team may choose to claim him for some added depth at the end of the season.

Bynes logged six TFLs and two sacks during the start of his third stint with the Ravens last year. The veteran linebacker can play all three downs but excels at stopping the run. He can also pitch in on specials teams when needed. Bynes isn’t a flashy signing but he’s a reliable interior defender and the Ravens likely aren’t paying him that much given how many snaps he will play for them.

Turning 32 in a couple weeks, Bynes is a reliable snap-soaker in the middle of the defense who can play all three downs but tends to excel against the run. He also plays some special teams. Bynes was in on 72% of the defensive snaps in Cincinnati last season, appearing in all 16 games.

A nine-year veteran, Bynes will compete for a starting job in the middle of the Bengals’ defense. Bynes made 46 tackles and one sack across 12 games with the Ravens in 2019, numbers that are in line with his career averages. It’s a forgettable signing, but the Bengals couldn’t enter the 2020 NFL Draft without adding some veteran depth.

Bynes, 30, spent the first three years of his career with Baltimore, winning a Super Bowl. He then spent three in Detroit and two in Arizona. Bynes is a downhill thumper on the inside and special teams contributor.

They also met with free agent Stephone Anthony. Bynes started 11 games in an every-down role for the Cardinals last year before landing on IR. He’s a career journeyman, but it’s surprising he still hasn’t signed with a team. Bynes and Anthony should eventually resurface.

Bynes started the first 11 games of 2018 before landing on injured reserve with a thumb injury. A 29-year-old journeyman, Bynes was having a career year in Steve Wilks’ system before going down. His goal for free agency will be finding guaranteed money.

It’s a big loss, as 29-year-old Bynes was having a career year in the middle for coach Steve Wilks’ defense. Playing every down, Bynes registered 75 tackles, two sacks and five pass deflections. He was earning high marks from Pro Football Focus. 2018 was Bynes’ first starting campaign since 2015 in Detroit. He is signed through 2020 in the desert.

Bynes was promoted to add depth with Ray Lewis (turf toe) out of the lineup. His release could be taken as a sign that Lewis has a decent chance to return at Cleveland this week.

The move gives the Ravens insurance at linebacker with both Jameel McClain and Brendon Ayanbadejo questionable for Sunday’s Divisional Round game. Active just once during the regular season, Bynes was held off the stat-sheet.