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Walt Harris has had a number of injury issues over the last few years, and ultimately, his health (or lack thereof) was what led to the Ravens placing the veteran cornerback on the Reserve/Injured list today.
Technically, teams are not able to release an injured vested veteran, so Harris will be placed on Injured Reserve and will receive an injury settlement from the Ravens.
Harris, who missed the entire 2009 season after knee surgery, injured his Achilles early in camp, and was unable to completely recover. He saw very few reps over the last week and a half of practices, and the Ravens couldn't continue holding a roster spot for him.
"I think Walt was really disappointed that he wasn't able to get healthy and practice," head coach John Harbaugh said. "That was the toughest thing. He's close, he feels like.
"He's coming off the injury from last season, and I talked to him this morning, his goal is to go back and get with his trainers and get himself right where he feels like he can play this year. But he just knows he's not there yet right now."
Harris spent much of the last week watching practices from the sidelines as much less experienced corners like Prince Miller and Doug Dutch got reps over him.
Harbaugh said that team wouldn't rule out re-signing Harris at some point further down the road.
"It's not something we've talked about, but we like Walt and he started to learn our defense, so it would always be a possibility," Harbaugh said.
The Ravens used Harris' roster spot to sign rookie corner Chris Hawkins, who Harbaugh said is considered more of a developmental prospect at this point.
Hawkins, who did not yet have his name sewed onto his No. 37 jersey and had yet to receive his playbook, said he's excited to be back with an NFL squad after a few weeks of unemployment.
"It felt great to be back playing football again for a team," said Hawkins, who was released by the Jaguars in July. "I was out for a minute, and I'm just excited to have the opportunity to continue playing."
