John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens are currently reeling from a dismal 1-4 start. Plus, they are crippled by a series of defensive injuries.

They have taken a low-risk gamble by signing veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to their practice squad in October 2025. The primary goal is to secure immediate, experienced depth as starting safety Kyle Hamilton recovers from a groin injury.

An Instagram post by Adam Schefter mentions;

“Free-agent safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is signing with the Ravens practice squad, per his agent Kevin Conner of @unisportsmgmt. Gardner-Johnson still gets his fully guaranteed 2025 salary with the Texans so there is little financial impact for the Ravens.”

Gardner-Johnson’s talent is undeniable; he is a Super Bowl winner with the Eagles and could certainly bolster a defense that is also missing key cornerbacks. However, his tenure is shadowed by chronic behavioral issues. His recent history includes being cut by the Texans after just three games following a reported dispute over how he was being used.

The Ravens are clearly at a crossroads. With their season in serious jeopardy and the potential absence of quarterback Lamar Jackson, they are willing to overlook the safety’s volatile past in exchange for the potential immediate impact he could offer.

Additionally, financial concerns are minimal for the struggling Ravens. As Adam Schefter noted on Instagram, citing agent Kevin Conner, Gardner-Johnson is still due his fully guaranteed 2025 salary from the Houston Texans. This arrangement means Baltimore assumes virtually no financial risk by bringing him aboard.

John Harbaugh, Ravens, irrespective of their score, are still favored to win 

The Baltimore Ravens can still turn their 2025 NFL season around, but it won’t be easy. After five games, they sit at 1–4, tied with the Cleveland Browns for last place in the AFC North. The division is currently led by the Pittsburgh Steelers (3–1), followed by the Cincinnati Bengals (2–3). With 12 games left to play, the Ravens still have time, but they’ll need to get hot fast if they want to reach the playoffs.

The offense has shown flashes of brilliance, but the bigger problem for John Harbaugh lies on defense. The Ravens are allowing an average of 27 points per game, one of the highest in the AFC.

Injuries to key defensive players like Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton have hurt their consistency, and the secondary has struggled to stop big plays. Head coach John Harbaugh has said the team won’t make staff changes mid-season, but something clearly needs to shift if they want to start winning again.

As per reports, Johnny Avello, director of sportsbook, stated, 

“The schedule lightens up a bit, and they should get Lamar Jackson back shortly. The Steelers have certainly closed the gap, but this is still Baltimore’s division to lose. This is a softer division, and the Ravens have the upside to rebound.”

To make a comeback, the Ravens need to tighten up their defense. There’s a higher win chance after Lamar Jackson rejoins the team, and they must avoid costly turnovers. They also have to take advantage of every winnable game left on their schedule. 

The Ravens are scheduled to play against the Los Angeles Rams in their week 6 match.