The Pittsburgh Steelers signed free-agent cornerback Anthony Averett to an undisclosed one-year deal on Sunday, according to a source. The deal for Averett comes after he worked out at the team's rookie minicamp over the weekend on a tryout basis. The 29-year-old split time between the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions last year but didn't play in any regular-season games. His last NFL action came in 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders, when he recorded 13 tackles and a pass defended in seven games (six starts). He was originally a fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018 out of Alabama. In his four seasons in Baltimore, he had 101 tackles, three interceptions and 22 passes defended. Averett will have plenty of competition at the cornerback position in training camp this summer as he tries to make the final roster.
The San Francisco 49ers have signed defensive back Anthony Averett to a one-year deal. Averett most recently played with the Las Vegas Raiders last season. He was mainly depth, but has graded well as a defender in the past. His best season was in 2021 when he recorded 54 tackles and three interceptions in 14 games with the Baltimore Ravens. The former fourth round pick played four seasons with the Ravens before joining the Raiders last season. The veteran corner appears to be solid depth for the 49ers defense.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Anthony Averett (thumb) suffered a broken right thumb in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday and will need surgery, according to a source. Averett will likely miss at least a month, which is why the Raiders chose to place him on Injured Reserve. The 27-year-old will not be able to return until at least Week 6 against the Houston Texans. With Averett sidelined, the Raiders will be looking for both Amik Robertson and Roderic Teamer to step up in the secondary. Averett, a former fourth-rounder of the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, is in his first year with the Raiders after opening his NFL career with four seasons in Baltimore.
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec thinks Baltimore Ravens safety DeShon Elliott has a better chance to re-sign in free agency this offseason than cornerback Anthony Averett. Averett is expected to have a bigger market, and he won't be a starter in Baltimore as long as Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters are healthy. Averett's biggest supporter in the organization was former defensive coordinator Don Martindale, and he's now gone. A deal for Elliott probably won't cost much, but the Ravens should be looking to diversify their secondary for a better complement to Chuck Clark. Zrebiec would be surprised if defensive back Tavon Young is back on his current deal in 2022. Given his extensive injury history, a $9 million salary cap hit will likely be too much for Young.
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Anthony Averett (rib), who is one of the team's few available and capable starters in the secondary, suffered a fractured rib in the Week 16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, according to a source. Averett could be fighting an uphill battle to play in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Rams. The Ravens have already lost Pro Bowl cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey (pectoral) and Marcus Peters (knee) to season-ending injuries, and Jimmy Smith and Chris Westry are on the COVID-19 list. Daryl Worley, who was signed less than a week ago, replaced Averett when he left the game on Sunday. With Baltimore's secondary in shambles, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow finished with a franchise-record 525 passing yards. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford should have a nice bounce-back game in Week 17 against the Ravens depleted secondary.
Anthony Averett Rejoins Ravens Defense For Tuesday’s Game
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Anthony Averett (shoulder) was activated off Injured Reserve prior to Tuesday's game versus the Cowboys, paving the way for him to make his first on-field appearance since Week 6. In addition to the return of Averett, the team elevated Pierre Desir from the practice squad, giving the Ravens Defense ample options in the secondary. Averett has made one start this season with Baltimore, having compiled 11 tackles and one pass defended. With defensive linemen Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams both getting the green light to return to action in Week 13 as well, the Baltimore defensive unit continues to get reinforcements down the stretch. Against a Dallas offense that has struggled without quarterback Dak Prescott (ankle), the Ravens defense is a strong play in Week 13.
