The Baltimore Ravens will be welcoming a key contributor back into the fold as they prepare for their 2023 preseason debut against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET from M&T Bank Stadium.
Baltimore announced on Monday that fullback Patrick Ricard was being removed from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, as he recovered from offseason hop surgery. While Ricard is unlikely to see notable — if any — playing time on Saturday, he is now able to rejoin his Ravens teammates on the practice field.
After going undrafted in 2017, Ricard signed with the Ravens as a rookie free agent in May. Throughout the offseason, he spent time practicing on both offense and defense — playing both defensive end and fullback into the preseason. The Maine product earned a spot on Baltimore’s 53-man roster and quickly became a staple in their offensive game-plan under former offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Ricard earned four consecutive Pro Bowl nominations (2019-22). Though he is most-revered for his blocking skills, Ricard has also compiled 260 yards on 50 touches in his six-year career while also working on both defense and special teams.
Ricard appeared on a career-best 64 percent of Baltimore's offensive snaps last season. However his recovery from hip surgery has kept him sidelined for Baltimore’s offseason workout program, along with much of training camp. As such, his usage in the short-term is likely to be at a reduced rate.
However, some have speculated that Ricard’s playing time may be further diminished under the direction of new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who has not been accustomed to utilizing the position during both his collegiate and professional coaching tenures.
Regardless of his eventual role, Ricard has built a skill set which sufficiently worthy of a place on Baltimore’s 2023 roster.
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