Baltimore Ravens put OLB Justin Houston, three others on COVID-19 list

Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens placed four defensive players, including Pro Bowl outside linebacker Justin Houston, on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, the team announced.

Along with Houston, the Ravens announced they put outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson, nose tackle Brandon Williams and defensive lineman Justin Madubuike on the COVID-19 list.

League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Ferguson tested positive for the coronavirus Friday. According to the outlets, Houston, Williams and Madubuike were deemed high-risk close contacts.

If fully vaccinated, Ferguson would need two negative test results 24 hours apart to return, as long as he is asymptomatic. If unvaccinated, he must self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days.

Under the NFL's COVID-19 protocols, unvaccinated players who are identified as high-risk close contacts must remain away from the team for five days. Vaccinated players don't have to quarantine if they are a close contact.

The Ravens will be down to just two healthy outside linebackers -- Odafe Oweh and Tyus Bowser -- and three active defensive linemen -- Calais Campbell, Justin Ellis and Broderick Washington -- for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.

Earlier Friday, the Ravens ruled out defensive end Derek Wolfe (back/hip) and listed outside linebackers Pernell McPhee (shoulder) and Daelin Hayes (knee) as questionable.

Baltimore could opt to call up outside linebacker Chris Smith and defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie from its practice squad before Sunday's matchup.