Ravens Surprisingly Release Standout DT

The Baltimore Ravens are continuing to trim down their roster to the NFL-mandated 53-man limit.

According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, the Ravens are waiving nose tackle C.J. Okoye, although they'd like to get him back on the practice squad.

Many believed Okoye was deserving of a spot following an impressive showing throughout the preseason. The massive 6-foot-6, 370-pound defensive lineman racked up five tackles and one quarterback hit.

Baltimore Ravens Defensive Lineman C.J. Okoye — Aug 7, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) pressured by Baltimore Ravens lineman C.J. Okoye (97) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images | Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr also couldn't help but praise Okoye's play.

“It’s amazing to see how far he’s come since when we got him in the springtime,” Orr said. “He works hard. He played real good in the game. He’s big. I was looking at him and I was like, ‘Damn, you’re a monster.’ And he went out there and played like it. It’s a credit to him. He’s put the work in.”

However, it doesn't seem to have been enough to land Okoye on Baltimore's loaded 53-man roster.

Okoye's path to the NFL was untraditional. He grew up in Agbogugu, Nigeria, where he primarily played basketball. After playing at a high level, he was noticed and suggested to enter the UpRise American football camp, hosted by Osi Umenyiora to identify talent from African countries.

He attended, and Umenyiora thought he performed well enough to give him a shot at the 2022 NFL Africa camp. There he was first trained to play offensive line, was named the most valuable offensive player and subsequently became one of 38 players to be invited to the NFL International Combine in London, England.

Okoye ultimately made the cut and was selected as one of 13 players for the National Football League's International Player Pathway Program. He was then allocated to the Los Angeles Chargers as a defensive lineman in 2023.

Okoye recorded a sack in his first preseason game with the Chargers but was later waived by the team. He re-signed to Los Angeles' practice squad, where he would spend both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

In January, Okoye got a change of scenery by signing a reserve/futures contract with the Ravens.

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