OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens will be without their top returner for Monday night's game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Deonte Harty, a former Pro Bowl returner, was placed on injured reserve on Saturday, sidelining him for four weeks. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Harty is dealing with "a knee issue that's been hindering him." Harty didn't practice all week.
In his first season with the Ravens, Harty has not made a major impact in the return game. He ranks 13th in the NFL with a 10.6-yard average on punt returns, and he is second on the team with a 24.5-yard average on kickoff returns.
With Harty sidelined, Baltimore is expected to go with Tylan Wallace on punt returns. Last season, Wallace returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown in overtime to help the Ravens beat the Rams 37-31.
Harty made the Pro Bowl as a returner in his rookie season with the New Orleans Saints in 2019. After four seasons with the Saints, he played last season for the Bills before signing a one-year, $1.292 million contract with the Ravens.