A team announcement stated that the Baltimore Ravens have signed defensive tackle David Olajiga after a Tuesday workout.

Olajiga is a 27-year-old Londoner who came to the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program. This made him eligible for the 17th extra spot on the practice team. He spent 2024 with the Rams practice squad before joining the Patriots in the off-season. Olajiga began the regular season with the New England Patriots’ practice squad but was released by the Patriots last week after they found another IPP tight end Thomas Odukuya to fill the extra spot on their practice squad.

C.J., a defensive tackle of Nigerian descent, was promoted by the Ravens. Last week, Okoye was promoted to the 53-man squad. This would have allowed them to sign Olajiga and not lose another player on the practice squad. Baltimore has been trying to use their IPP slot since the program started and will sign Olajiga, or another international player in the next few weeks.

Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports that Baltimore hosted veteran edge rusher Efe Abada and rookie defensive lineman Tommy Akingbesote on Tuesday for workouts.

Obada, a veteran of seven years who has spent the last three seasons playing for the Commanders. He played in 17 games in 2022 with four sacks, four tackles for losses, and four fumble recoveries. However, injuries kept him out of his next two seasons. In 2023, the 33-year-old was effective with six pressures on 63 snaps and a 15% pass rush win percentage, according to Pro Football Focus. He missed the first few weeks of the season due to a knee injury. In Week 11, he suffered multiple leg fractures, which ended his season. In October of the year following, he returned to play 36 snaps and had one pressure. His PRWR was 5.9%.

Akingbesote, drafted in the Cowboys’ seventh round draft this year, struggled during the preseason. He did not make it onto the 53-man roster. In September, the former Maryland Terrapin played for a couple of weeks on Carolina’s practice squad. Since then, he hasn’t been able to find a new team. In my coverage of his Pro Day, I described him as “solid but not spectacular” player who meets the basic requirements for NFL defensive-line play. He is more solid than explosive, and does not fit the profile of a run-stopper.