Ravens sign veteran LB A.J. Klein

A veteran linebacker who had spent time with the Panthers, Saints, and Bills, Klein joined the Giants’ practice squad on Tuesday. The Giants continued their busy acquisition stretch at inside linebacker today, however, reuniting with Landon Collins. Despite Collins playing safety during his first tour of duty in New York, the current regime prefers him at linebacker.

Klein, 31, instead will head to Baltimore to earn a chance on the Ravens’ 53-man roster. The former fifth-round pick will fill in behind starters Patrick Queen and Josh Bynes. The Ravens have shifted Malik Harrison to an outside ‘backer role, due to injury issues, leaving an opening for an experienced second-level defender to work as a second-stringer.

After working as a primary starter in place of the injured Matt Milano extensively in 2020, Klein slid back to a bench role last year in Buffalo. The Bills released Klein in March. Still, the one-time Luke Kuechly backup has made 80 career starts. Fifteen of those came in Buffalo, where Klein also contributed as a pass rusher. He led the AFC’s second-seeded Bills squad that season with a career-high five sacks, both highlighting Klein’s versatility and the Bills’ need to augment their 2020s pass-rushing situation.

Despite Klein’s quick New York exit, the Giants have still added Collins and Jaylon Smith to work alongside Tae Crowder at inside linebacker. Smith played 31 snaps in his 2022 Giants debut Sunday.