OWINGS MILLS — Tylan Wallace is one of the hardest workers on the Ravens’ roster.
He quietly goes about his business and has emerged as one of the team’s top performers at wide receiver throughout training camp.
Wallace has been a player who has been associated with being on the bubble for the 53-man roster over the past season, but there is no doubt that he will not only be part of the team but could be a key contributor.
In the final preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, Wallace caught a pass from Josh Johnson for a 48-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. Wallace has made several big plays in training camp and has the confidence of starting quarterback Lamar Jackson and Johnson, his backup.
“[It was] a great route by Tylan,” Johnson said about the touchdown reception against the Packers. “The O-line protected well, and I just wanted to sit in there, let the defense kind of clear that opportunity to throw that route was there, and I just wanted to give ‘Ty’ [the opportunity] to do what he does best. He had a similar throw last week, and he got tackled – he was upset, so he went for a touchdown this week. I was happy for him to go out there and do his thing. He has been having a great camp.”
Over three games this preseason, Wallace caught all four of his targets for 105 yards with a touchdown.
Wallace was selected by the Ravens in the fourth round (131st overall) of the 2021 NFL draft. He has made most of his mark on special teams.
Last season, Wallace returned a punt 76 yards to give the Ravens a 37-31 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14. It was the first time Wallace returned punts in a regular-season game because Pro Bowler Devin Duvernay was forced to the sideline with a back injury. Wallace was named the AFC Special Teams Players of the Week for that performance.
The Ravens are hoping for similar big plays this season at wide receiver and on special teams.