Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh provides an update on his rookie third-round pick and when he’s expected to return
The Baltimore Ravens are inching closer to unleashing their rookie third-round pick — Emery Jones Jr. — onto the field, and head coach John Harbaugh has just provided the most detailed update yet on the lineman’s recovery and return timeline
The Situation at a Glance
Jones was selected 91st overall in the 2025 NFL Draft after an impressive college career at LSU Tigers, where he earned two second-team All-SEC honors and was ranked among college football’s top offensive linemen by Pro Football Focus.
However, a shoulder surgery following the NFL Combine sidelined him for the offseason and placed him on the reserve/non-football injury list to start his professional career.
Harbaugh’s Update: “He’s looking good. He’s talented and tough.”
During a recent press conference, Harbaugh confirmed that Jones will not be placed on season-ending injured reserve.
“He’s had a couple of weeks now of practice. He’s shown a lot of good things, but he also has a lot to learn… I do think he has a chance to be a factor this year. He’s looking good. He’s talented, and he’s tough, and he wants to do well.” — John Harbaugh
However, Harbaugh added a caveat:
“He’s not going to be cleared by the doctor for this week. So if it’s not this week, then it would be next week.”
So, though no exact return date was pinned down, it’s clear Jones is in the final phases of his recovery and primed for activation.
What’s Next for Jones?
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He officially returned to practice on October 1 after weeks of rehab and conditioning.
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He is expected to be moved from the injury list onto the Ravens’ 53-man roster very soon.
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His position is still flexible: though he lined up mostly at right tackle in college, the organization plans to evaluate him at both tackle and guard, adding positional value.
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Despite being activated to the roster, Harbaugh emphasized that Jones won’t play immediately. He must still earn reps and polish finer points of pass protection and scheme awareness.
Why This Matters for the Ravens
Baltimore’s offense has struggled in 2025, especially up front. Issues in short-yardage situations and pass protection have been recurring themes.
Bringing in Jones gives the Ravens a chance to inject fresh talent and relieve pressure on the veteran starters. If he achieves full health and earns snaps, the payoff could be significant.
Harbaugh’s tone suggests the team believes Jones has “the chance to be a factor” this season. That’s a meaningful vote of confidence in what was a risk pick due to his shoulder surgery.
Bottom Line
While there’s no firm date for his first game, Emery Jones Jr. is officially on the cusp of a return. Coach John Harbaugh expects him to be activated soon, with the caveat that he “has a lot to learn” before stepping into meaningful game action.
For Ravens fans and fantasy followers alike, this marks a major development: a high-draft-capital offensive lineman is finally healthy and looming. The impact may not be immediate, but the potential is genuine.
