The Baltimore Ravens signed linebacker Michael Barrett on Wednesday, reuniting him with Jesse Minter, his defensive coordinator for two years at Michigan.
The Ravens badly needed linebacker depth with Jamon Johnson, Carl Jones Jr., and Reid Williford all dealing with injuries. Jones and Williford have been absent for more than a week, while Johnson left Saturday’s preseason win over the Vikings. That forced second-year UDFA Jay Higgins and undrafted rookie Dominic DeLuca to play nearly the entire game. Barrett, who has a baseline familiarity with Minter’s scheme after running it at Michigan, should be able to step in and take preseason snaps on Friday against the Commanders.
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Barrett, 26, was the Wolverines’ starting linebacker during both of Minter’s seasons in Ann Arbor. His 137 tackles trailed only Junior Colson – who Minter later coached with the Chargers – during that time and he added in a mix of splash plays: 8.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two interceptions, three passes defended, three forced fumbles, and two recoveries.
Barrett’s contributions to Michigan’s championship-winning defense in helped get him drafted in the seventh round of the 2024 draft by the Panthers. Carolina traded him to the Seahawks for veteran cornerback Mike Jackson, only for Seattle to waived him during final roster cuts, re-sign him to the practice squad, and release him shortly after Week 1.
Barrett spent time on the Browns’ and Packers’ practice squads in 2025 and signed with the Raiders for the 2025 offseason. After being waived, he moved to the UFL, first joining the Birmingham Stallions but ultimately appearing in seven games for the St. Louis Battlehawks during the 2026 season.
To make room on the roster, the Ravens placed center Danny Pinter on injured reserve following his season-ending knee injury suffered during joint practices in Minnesota. Later in the day, Willford, an undrafted rookie, was waived with an injury designation, leaving one spot open on Baltimore’s roster.
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