The roster cutdowns can be a tense time for NFL players, and for Baltimore Ravens receiver Tylan Wallace, this was especially true.
After a stellar preseason that saw him make plays on special teams and for the offense, Wallace thought he had a decent shot at surviving the cut.
But there was always doubt, and Wallace waited in his car at the facility until the deadline passed.
"I figured if nobody said anything, I figured I was good," Wallace said. "I was in my car and waited until it hit four (o'clock) and I said 'alright, I'm good.' Then I drove home."
With the Ravens having an abundance of receiving talent, Wallace was naturally down the pecking order.
The likes of Odell Beckham Jr., Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor, Devin Durvernay, and Rashod Bateman make up an excellent receiving unit, but that didn't deter Wallace from the task at hand.
Wallace produced good moments all throughout the offseason as he caught five passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns on offense while making himself a viable contributor on special teams.
Despite Wallace thinking he had done enough to survive the roster cut when the news came through, he could finally relax.
“For sure, always a sense of relief,” Wallace said. “In this business, you never know, so definitely very blessed, very honored to be here and be part of the roster.”
Trying to be part of an offensive lineup that many think can be the most explosive in football is a tough task, as the room is filled with household names.
For some, that can be enough for the mental demons to begin putting doubt in the mind, but in Wallace's case, he embraced the challenge.
"You see them bringing guys in. You know, obviously, that means there's only so many spots left," Wallace said. "That's always a little bit stressful, but I also look at it as a challenge."
Now part of the Ravens team for a third straight season, Wallace will continue to go about his business with the aim of being a contributor on special teams and on Todd Monken's offense.
We just hope that next season, Wallace doesn't have to sweat it out in his car waiting to find out if he's made the team.
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