The Baltimore Ravens promoted returner Jeremy Ross from the practice squad Saturday, and the former Detroit Lions wide receiver is a candidate to return punts and kickoffs Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
It's not a surprising move considering the Ravens' top two returners this season -- Steve Smith and Michael Campanaro -- both injured their backs in the previous game. Smith is considered doubtful for Sunday, and Campanaro is on injured reserve.
Another option for punt returns is Lardarius Webb. But Webb hasn't been a primary returner since 2011.
The Ravens signed Ross to the practice squad on Sept. 7 after he was cut by the Lions. Ross, 27, showed explosiveness in his two seasons as a returner in Detroit, but he lost his job to Golden Tate and TJ Jones on punt returns and Ameer Abdullah on kickoffs.
In 2013, Ross ranked in the top 10 in both punt returns (16.2-yard average) and kickoff returns (29.3). Last season, Ross still had respectable numbers for punt returns (8.9) and kickoff returns (25.4). He produced three punt returns of 20 or more yards, the same amount as the Steelers' Antonio Brown.
The biggest problem with Ross last season was his decision-making. He led the NFL with 37 fair catches, 11 more than anyone else in the NFL. Ross also fumbled twice.
To make room for Ross on the 53-man roster, Baltimore cut defensive tackle Christo Bilukidi, who was inactive for all four games this season.
