OWINGS MILLS — Baltimore Ravens backup inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe has signed his $1.927 million restricted free agent tender.
Ellerbe was assigned a second-round tender by the Ravens, but hasn’t drawn interest from other teams as a free agent.
NFL teams have until Friday to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. If Ellerbe had been signed to an offer sheet and the Ravens opted not to match, they would receive a second-round draft pick as compensation.
A former undrafted free agent from the University of Georgia, Ellerbe, 26, is entering his fourth NFL season.
He has started seven career games, appearing in a total of 33 for the Ravens with 90 tackles and one sack.
The 6-foot-1, 240-pounder started three games last season, filling in when Pro Bowl middle linebacker Ray Lewis was out for four games with a toe injury.
Ellerbe had 18 tackles last season while dealing with hamstring and groin issues and a concussion. He started the AFC championship game against the New England Patriots.
As a rookie, Ellerbe had 41 tackles and an interception in 13 games and three starts.
Ellerbe ended that season as a starter, but lost his starting job the next year as Jameel McClain emerged as a full-time starter after winning a competition over Ellerbe and Tavares Gooden.
The Ravens signed McClain to a three-year, $10.5 million contract this offseason, but made sure they retained Ellerbe to provide depth behind him and Lewis.
