Justin Houston among Ravens placed on COVID/reserve list

Several Baltimore Ravens players have been placed on the team’s COVID/reserve list as of Friday, per a team announcement. Included among the lot is former Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher Justin Houston.

Word broke earlier on Friday morning that someone from the Ravens roster had tested positive for the coronavirus, and now the Ravens have made it clear that four players will need to quarantine. That list includes defensive tackle Brandon Williams, defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, pass rusher Justin Houston, and linebacker Jaylon Ferguson.

Houston signed with the Ravens this offseason on a one-year deal after spending the previous two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

The Chiefs recently played the Ravens in a heartbreaking loss in Week 2 on Sunday Night Football, so the timing of this COVID breakout could raise eyebrows in Chiefs Kingdom wondering if anyone was infected without knowing it on the field on Sunday. However, so far there’s been zero rumors of any further notice beyond the Ravens franchise and the level of testing and protocols make it clear that the Chiefs are likely in the clear.

Houston first entered the NFL as the third round pick of the Chiefs by then-general manager Scott Pioli back in the 2011 NFL Draft. Houston was the team’s top pass rusher for years, playing across from Penn State product Tamba Hali on a stout defense. Houston nearly set the NFL record (while setting the Chiefs franchise record) with 22 sacks in 2014.

Houston has 4 tackles in two games so far this season for the Ravens as he chases the 2.5 sacks he needs to eclipse the 100 sack threshold in his career.