Trenton Simpson
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Baltimore Ravens ILB Trenton Simpson (32) could switch positions to cover injuries.
They are already dealing with an injury problem at the edges of their defense, something Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh thinks inconsistent Trenton Simpson can help solve.
Simpson hasn’t made the grade as an inside linebacker next to All-Pro signal-caller Roquan Smith, but Harbaugh believes the third-round pick might help in another area. Namely, at outside linebacker, where the Ravens are set to be without veteran Pro Bowler and 2024 team sack leader Kyle Van Noy.
The latter’s “bracing to potentially miss multiple games due to a hamstring injury,” according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Ravens Pro Bowl edge rusher Kyle Van Noy is bracing to potentially miss multiple games due to a hamstring injury suffered Sunday, per source. Van Noy, who led the team in sacks (12.5) last year, is hoping the injury is short-term. pic.twitter.com/h5iIy0gPLJ
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 15, 2025
Losing Van Noy for the long haul would be a major blow for a Ravens pass rush still reliant on the 34-year-old’s power and range. There’s a shortage of viable alternatives, even after the team re-signed a familiar face.
A paucity of options means Simpson might switch positions. Harbaugh told reporters, including The Baltimore Banner’s Giana Han, the 86th player taken in the 2023 NFL draft “could play SAM in a pinch with injuries to the OLB group. However, can’t really see him in a DE role.”
John Harbaugh said ILB Trenton Simpson could play SAM in a pinch with injuries to the OLB group. However, can't really see him in a DE role.
Simpson was part of the pass rush at Clemson.
— Giana Han (@giana_jade) September 15, 2025
Han also noted how “Simpson was part of the pass rush at Clemson.” It’s another compelling reason why moving the 24-year-old to the outside makes sense.
The new role might even salvage a career in danger of stalling, with Simpson already losing snaps to one of this season’s rookies.
Trenton Simpson Needs Career Catalyst
Simpson was supposed to be a transformational athlete at the second level. A playmaker versatile enough to make it easier for the Ravens to let former first-round pick Patrick Queen walk in free agency and join AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Unfortunately, Simpson has rarely looked like that kind of player. Instead, he’s a linebacker at a crossroads, somebody needing a catalyst to spark a career revival.
Playing on the edge could be the answer, based on how Simpson rushed the passer for the Tigers. He led the ACC with quarterback hits in a Clemson uniform during the two seasons before he was drafted, per PFF College.
There’s a strong platform for Simpson to build on as a pass-rusher and edge-setting force. Especially when he’s often looked his best for the Ravens on the blitz.
A notable example occurred against the Washington Commanders this preseason, when Simpson got downhill in a hurry and closed on the pocket to knock the ball loose.
Unleashing Simpson more often looks like the key to unlocking his full potential. That will be easier to do when the Ravens have a viable replacement at the heart of the linebacker corps.
Ravens Already Making Changes at Linebacker
Defensive coordinator Zach Orr favored this year’s fourth-round pick Teddye Buchanan against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3. Buchanan, who displayed breakout traits this offseason, was the starter on the first three drives, according to Fox Baltimore’s Morgan Adsit.
3 CLE drives, no ILB Trenton Simpson. Appears rookie Buchanan has jumped him on the depth chart after WK1 at Buffalo and getting the role this game for sure. https://t.co/Hp3s5croUc
— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) September 14, 2025
Snap counts reveal Buchanan played 60 reps during the 41-17 win at M&T Bank Stadium, compared with Simpson’s 15, per Pro Football Reference. Simpson is finding his spot next to Smith under threat, but he can be more help on the edge.
That’s where the Ravens are counting on Odafe Oweh and Tavius Robinson to carry the load. Where the team brought back Malik Hamm to the practice squad on Tuesday, September 16, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
Hamm is rejoining a group where 2025 second-round pick Mike Green is expected to be a factor, but another prominent draft pick, David Ojabo is struggling to stay involved. The 2022 second-rounder was inactive for the second-straight week, underlining the lack of star power on the depth chart.
Shifting Simpson to the outside is a smart way to solve a potential problem and find out if a raw but gifted athlete can be a bigger factor.