OWINGS MILLS — Ravens returner Deonte Harty is being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, but the setback will not end his season, according to coach John Harbaugh.
Harty will be out for at least four games under NFL rules.
Harty has returned eight punts for 85 yards in five games but missed last week’s matchup against the Washington Commanders because of the injury.
Tylan Wallace will be in the mix to take over the starting job as the returner. Wallace has shown that he is more than capable of taking over the role of the main returner. 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. He was named the AFC Special Teams Players of the Week.
“We’ll just change up the returner,” Harbaugh said. “We have Tylan who does it, and other guys that can go back there as backups or even as a two-return type of a format.”
The Ravens signed Harty, an Archbishop Curley alum and Assumption University graduate, to a one-year deal in April.
Last year, Harty was Buffalo’s primary kick returner. He also caught his first career touchdown with the Bills against the New York Giants.
The Ravens expect Harty to make an impact this season when he is healthy.
“Harty is our guy, and we believe in him, and when he’s healthy and he’s in the right place, we know he can be a difference maker for us,” special teams coordinator Chris Horton said.