The Baltimore Ravens bolstered their practice squad on Wednesday by re-signing linebacker Kristian Welch and adding cornerback Anthony Kendall, aiming to enhance their special teams units.
Welch, who was recently let go by the Denver Broncos after their Week 6 defeat, played mainly on special teams this season but saw significant defensive action, logging 36 snaps, including one start. An undrafted free agent from Iowa, Welch previously spent three seasons with the Ravens, appearing in 43 games and making 21 tackles, mostly contributing on special teams. In his three seasons with Baltimore, he only played 44 defensive snaps, with most of his contributions coming in kick coverage. Last season, Welch appeared in 14 games for the Green Bay Packers before returning to the Ravens. His return is timely, especially with linebacker Malik Harrison dealing with a groin injury that kept him out of Baltimore’s recent game against the Washington Commanders. If Harrison is unable to recover in time for their next matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Welch may step in to provide depth.
Meanwhile, cornerback Anthony Kendall was added to the practice squad after being released by the Tennessee Titans last week. He replaces Damarion “Pepe” Williams, who was cut from Baltimore’s practice squad on Tuesday. Kendall, who played in 16 games for the Titans last season, contributed almost exclusively on special teams. The 5-foot-10 cornerback went undrafted out of Division III Baldwin Wallace University, where he earned significant accolades, including Ohio Athletic Conference Defensive Back of the Year and second-team Div. III All-American honors in 2022. His NFL journey is particularly notable, as he became the first Baldwin Wallace alumnus to play in the league since 1987.
Both Welch and Kendall are expected to boost Baltimore’s special teams and provide crucial depth as the Ravens deal with injuries and look to maintain their momentum in the coming weeks of the season.
