One week after the Texans waived him, guard Laken Tomlinson has found a new home. The Ravens signed Tomlinson to their practice squad on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports. They released defensive end Carl Lawson from their taxi squad to make room for Tomlinson.
Now 33 years old, Tomlinson entered the NFL as the Lions’ first-round pick (28th overall) in 2015. He has since started in a combined 162 of 173 appearances with the Lions, 49ers, Jets, Seahawks, and Texans. Known for his durability, Tomlinson has logged a full schedule in nine of his 11 seasons.
Having appeared in 10 contests this year, Tomlinson won’t put together his fifth straight 17-game slate. He started in seven games with the Texans before they bumped him from the lineup and later cut him. Tomlinson is Pro Football Focus’ 52nd-ranked guard among 80 qualifiers.
The addition of Tomlinson comes a day after the Ravens lost guard Ben Cleveland to a three-game suspension for a violation of the NFL’s Substances of Abuse policy. Cleveland has come off the bench in 10 games this season. Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele have served as full-time starters. With Cleveland unavailable for the next few weeks, Tomlinson will join Emery Jones in giving the Ravens another depth option at guard.
Lawson appeared in 15 games and picked up five sacks with the Cowboys last season, but his impact in Baltimore was minimal. He played in one game with the Ravens – a Week 13 loss to Cincinnati, one of his ex-teams – before they cut him. Lawson totaled 26 defensive snaps and made one tackle in that contest.