Darren Waller dropped a deep pass across the middle from Joe Flacco at training camp Sunday.
Later in the morning, he fought off a pair of defenders to catch a sideline throw from Lamar Jackson.
Waller was reinstated by the NFL last week after a year-long suspension. He reported to the team’s training camp Monday.
However, he remains on a slippery slope to make the final roster. The Ravens like Waller’s upside but he has to prove to them he can stay on the field and out of trouble.
“He needs to be here. I haven’t seen the guy for a year. I love him,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s a great guy, talented guy and all that. But, where’s he been? So, you have to be here. You don’t just come waltzing in and all of the sudden, you’re the starting tight end. You have to prove it.
“You have to do some things for us. You have to make plays. I love him, but like I told him, I’m going to be the hardest guy on him of anybody. I’m going to be on him every single day, because he has a lot to prove.”
Waller was suspended last June for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. It was his second suspension since entering the league as a sixth-round pick in 2015.
Overall, Waller has played 18 games during his NFL career. He has 12 catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Waller has the potential to be a key playmaker, but first, he still needs to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Rookie Hayden Hurst has shown that is ready to be the starter. Fellow rookie Mark Andrews has shown he can be effective but has struggled with injuries.
Nick Boyle has quietly put together a solid camp and should make the team. Maxx Williams also has been hampered with injuries. Vince Mayle and Nick Keizer are also trying to earn a place on the team.
As a result, Waller has to outperform those players. At 6-foot-6, he provides a big target for Flacco and could be a weapon in the red zone.
Still, he has to show the coaching staff they can depend on him.
“He’s got a lot of work in front of him. He’s getting there though,” assistant head coach/tight ends Greg Roman said. “He’s really, really been cramming. He is cramming for a final exam right now, and [there’s] not a lot of sleep going on. He’s doing a very good job with it.
“He’s got some recall, being with us last spring, so that’s really been helpful. But he has to get into the grind with his teammates and get into football shape. He’s in good shape, but you don’t get in football shape without grinding through training camp, so he’s on his way.”
To make room for Waller on the 90-man roster, the Ravens released undrafted rookie receiver Jaelon Acklin.
