It's Official: Dez Bryant Signed to Ravens Practice Squad

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens officially signed three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant to the practice squad.

In a corresponding move, the Ravens waived safety Marcus Gilchrist from the practice squad.

🙅‍♂️ @DezBryant | #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/2ypHKM8KAm
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 27, 2020

If Bryant is eventually added to the 53-man roster, he could help boost the Ravens passing attack that is currently ranked 31st in the NFL behind the winless Jets. Bryant previously worked out with Baltimore in August, but he left without a deal.

The Ravens have a solid core of young; albeit unproven, young wide receivers. Bryant could provide a valuable veteran presence and also help mentor some of these players.

"Obviously, that’s kind of like on ‘OG’-type guy," Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. "He’s been around the league for a long, long time. He actually followed me on Twitter a year or two ago, so I’m excited to meet him, and I’m excited to [be] around him hopefully and just learn. Obviously, learn everything you can from a guy like that, just because they’ve done it, and they’ve been there, so it’s super exciting for me.”

Bryant, 31, has played in 113 career games (99 starts), posting 531 receptions for 7,459 yards (14.0 average) and 73 touchdowns over eight years. He also has two punt return touchdowns, both of which he recorded as a rookie in 2010. Bryant has also appeared in three playoff games with 15 receptions for 218 yards and two touchdowns.

Originally selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round (27th overall) of the 2010 draft, Bryant made the Pro Bowl in 2013, 2014 and 2016). He was an AP first-team All-Pro honoree (2014). Bryant played all eight seasons (2010-17) of his NFL career in Dallas before being released.

Bryant signed with New Orleans on Nov. 7, 2018, but never appeared in a game after tearing his Achilles tendon during his first practice. Bryant did not play at all last season and has not appeared in an NFL game since 2017.

In 2012, Bryant recorded at least one receiving touchdown in seven consecutive games, tying the longest streak of its kind in Cowboys history.

From 2012-14, Bryant tallied the NFL’s most receiving touchdowns (41) and fifth-most receiving yards (3,935), and in 2014, his 16 receiving touchdowns led the NFL.