ExtremeRavens Posted December 12, 2023 Posted December 12, 2023 The Ravens are signing quarterback Malik Cunningham off the New England Patriots’ practice squad. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the news Tuesday. Cunningham was a teammate of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson at Louisville for one season in 2017 and will rejoin him in Baltimore with four games remaining in the regular season and the Ravens atop the AFC at 10-3. The Patriots are 3-10 and in last place in the AFC East. “I just feel like this is a good opportunity for me and I’m excited to be a Baltimore Raven,” Cunningham told ESPN. His addition gives the Ravens four quarterbacks, along with Tyler Huntley and veteran Josh Johnson, both of whom are on the active roster. It’s more likely Cunningham could have an impact on Baltimore’s roster next season. Huntley, the Ravens’ backup quarterback, is an unrestricted free agent after this season and bringing him back next year would be a more expensive option. He will also reportedly take the roster spot of returner Devin Duvernay, who suffered a back injury in Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Rams and will be placed on injured reserve, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday only that Duvernay’s injury “might be a little more extended” and could keep him out more than a week. If he goes on injured reserve, he will miss the remainder of the regular season but could be back for the postseason. Cunningham went undrafted out of Louisville this year before signing with the Patriots in May. He was released in August but re-signed with New England’s practice squad, then was signed to the active roster in mid-October. He was released 10 days later, however, then signed again to the practice squad. The 25-year-old appeared in one game for the Patriots this season, playing six snaps in a 21-17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 15. He was sacked once and did not throw a pass. In that game, he was deployed in a variety of ways, with two snaps at quarterback, two in the slot and two out wide as a receiver. Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien said later that he could see New England using him in different spots within the offense given his versatility. If Duvernay is out for an extended period, Cunningham’s speed could come in handy for Baltimore. The 6-foot-1, 198-pound quarterback ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds at the NFL scouting combine earlier this year. “Go flourish where your talent is respected,” Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown said on an Instagram story in reaction to the news. In five years at Louisville, Cunningham passed for 9,660 yards and 70 touchdowns with 29 interceptions and rushed for 3,184 yards, third-most in school history. He was also named Most Valuable Player of the 2019 Music City Bowl after throwing for 279 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 81 yards in a 38-28 win over Mississippi State. Cunningham was on his way to Baltimore Tuesday afternoon. The Ravens’ next game is Sunday night against the AFC South-leading Jaguars (8-5) in Jacksonville. View the full article Quote
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