Devin

Duvernay

The Jaguars continue to run rampant in free agency, as Duvernay becomes the fourth player to agree to a deal with the team on the first day of legal tampering. Duvernay caught 37 passes for 407 yards and three touchdowns in 2022 but was an afterthought in the Ravens’ offense last season, totaling just four receptions on nine targets. A special teams ace who was named an All-Pro in 2022 and to back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2021 and 2022, Duvernay will likely offer more on kick and punt returns than he will on offense.

Duvernay’s impact will be mostly felt in the return game. He’s managed only nine targets in 13 games this season but returned 23 punts and nine kicks prior to going down with a back injury in Week 14. In addition to Duvernay, the Ravens also activated CB Ar’Darius Washington, who is also expected to play in Saturday’s game against the Texans.

Duvernay, the team’s primary return man, was back at practice on Wednesday. He should be ready to go when the Ravens suit up in the Divisional Round. Duvernay had 23 returns for 290 yards before sustaining a back injury in December.

Duvernay, the Ravens’ primary kick returner, suffered a back injury this month and will miss at least four weeks. The team believes he will return in the postseason. Until then, Tylan Wallace — who had a game-winning punt return touchdown in Week 14 — will take over for Duvernay.

Duvernay missed the final three games of last year due to injuries. Getting cleared to run gives him a chance to get in reps at OTAs later this month. Duvernay’s injury-shortened 2022 makes it likely the Pro Bowl returner plays out his rookie contract without a new deal.

There were rumors Duvernay, who is owed a non-guaranteed $4.3 million, could be a cap casualty after the Nelson Agholor signing. The Ravens have plans for Duvernay, a Pro Bowl returner the last two years, and may look to lower his 2023 cap hit if they don’t cut him. Duvernay’s late season injuries makes it likely he plays out his final year without a new deal.

Duvernay suffered the injury in practice on Tuesday and is out for the rest of the season. It’s another blow to one of the weakest wideout rooms in the NFL, and leave Demarcus Robinson and Mark Andrews as the only viable pass catchers in the Baltimore offense. Newly-signed Sammy Watkins could instantly find plenty of snaps and pass routes in the Ravens offense.

This does not necessarily end Duvernay’s season as he could be activated in the playoffs, but the quick trigger on the injured reserve listing after suffering the injury in practice speaks very loudly that this is a season-ending foot issue. Duvernay finishes 2022 with a 37/407/3 receiving line and enters the final year of his rookie contract as a depth piece on Baltimore’s wideout chart that is currently full of question marks. It’s possible that his injury is serious enough that he’s not ready for the start of the 2023 season given how late it occurred.

The last thing the Ravens needed was yet another injury at the position, but this helps explain the Sammy Watkins claim a bit more. Duvernay has compiled a 37/403/3 receiving line, adding 12/84/1 on the ground. It’s been a bit puzzling that he hasn’t been more involved in Baltimore’s offense as they need the kind of tackle-breaking juice he can provide. Duvernay has not been targeted six times since Week 13 and has not scored since Week 8.

Duvernay hasn’t much lived up to the hype he created with an early-season explosion in efficiency and touchdowns, with the outing marking his sixth consecutive contest without a touchdown after scoring four in his first three games. What little fantasy appeal Duvernay maintained is quickly fleeting.